San Antonio Spurs: Final media mock draft round-up 3.0

Yahoo! Sports - Kai Jones, C, Texas

Mock Draft date: 7/19
Previously mocked: James Bouknight on 6/23, Corey Kispert on 5/24

Krysten Peek of Yahoo! Sports has the Spurs going with the seven-footer from Texas, Kai Jones, at number 12 in the 2021 NBA Draft. "Adding an athletic center like Jones to play alongside Keldon Johnson in the frontcourt would be a great addition in the late lottery," says Peek.

I've personally noticed Jones as the clear fan favorite among Spurs Twitter, as he frequently wins polls asking who the team should take. It probably doesn't hurt that he played for the University of Texas as opposed to somewhere like Turkey, though.

Kai Jones has already worked out with the Spurs recently and there are signs he's on the team's radar. Still, his rawness and inexperience have caused a recent drop in his draft position in many mock drafts, so the jury is still out on whether San Antonio would pull the trigger.

CBS Sports - Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky

Mock Draft date: 7/22
Previously mocked: Davion Mitchell on 7/19, Jaden Springer on 6/23

Rounding out the final media round-up is CBS Sports with their selection of Isaiah Jackson. "The Spurs don't have much in their frontcourt, so Jackson helps them check that box," says writer Gary Parrish.

He goes on to call the 6-10 forward a "top-shelf athlete, elite shot-blocker, and rim-protector", but admits he's limited offensively and could use more work with defensive fundamentals.

Our own Cal Durrett did an in-depth dive into everything Jackson has to offer just a couple of weeks ago. In it, he states the 19-year-old could be a worthwhile gamble due to his very high defensive ceiling but says it could take him several seasons to reach his full potential.

There are plenty of intriguing options for the Spurs to take in the NBA Draft, and it all starts Thursday, July 29th at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.