Scouts give their two cents on how Spurs should approach the 2023 NBA Draft

The NBA Draft Lottery is a little over 24 hours from unfolding, and the San Antonio Spurs are one of a handful of cellar-dwelling clubs holding their breath for the long-awaited results of the Wembanyama sweepstakes. We have covered household names and under-the-radar prospects for our Air Alamo readers as we prepare for every possible outcome, and our mission is to equip fans with everything they need to know about this class.

From attending high school camps, AAU events, and private workouts to traveling across state and international borders to watch games live, no one understands the players in this talent pool quite like the scouts that put in countless hours in gyms across the globe. So to gain a better perspective on how the Silver and Black should approach the 2023 NBA Draft, we chatted with four experts that have kept a close eye on these youngsters.

1. Assuming the Spurs win the lottery and land Victor Wembanyama, how would the generational big man complement with their current core?

Matt Babcock: Rather than looking at how Wembanyama complements the Spurs' core, I'd look internally at the current roster and determine how they complement him. But to answer your question, I think Wembanyama is an easy player to fit into different rosters and rotations because he's a versatile, do-it-all type of player that happens to be 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan. Also, aside from Sochan, their long-term building blocks are primarily perimeter players, so I don't see any substantial conflicts.

Rafael Barlowe: Vic would be the cornerstone that creates a defined pecking order for the rest of the roster. I wouldn’t say he’ll be the focal point of the offense from day one, but everyone will know that it’s Vic’s team and the situation will be set up for him to succeed. Defensively he’ll help immediately with his rim protection, size and length. On offense, at the minimum he’ll be a vertical lob threat that has the potential to space the floor.

Richard Stayman: Wembanyama fits every lineup because he’s such a unique mismatch. He will expose bigger players that try to bully him by countering with shot creation and length, and will create gravity that best suits every other player.

Corey Tulaba: Victor Wembanyama changes the entire course that your franchise is on. So even if your young core doesn’t fit next to him, it’s fine, because good news, you now have Victor Wembanyama! But looking at the roster, I love the fit with Jeremy Sochan in the front court. The defensive versatility those dudes bring is tantalizing and Wembanyama’s outside-in game allows you to not have to worry nearly as much about how Sochan’s lack of an outside shot can limit your future roster construction. A trio of Wembanyama, Sochan, and Vassell is an intriguing core to build around.

2. If San Antonio falls outside of the top four, which player makes the most sense for them in that five through seven range?

Babcock: There isn't a specific player that jumps out as a perfect fit for the Spurs outside the projected top-4. However, they should look at the Thompson Twins from Overtime Elite, depending on which are on the board. If they look to bolster their frontcourt Jarace Walker from Houston and Taylor Hendricks from Central Florida could be options. And lastly, although the Spurs have a lot of young perimeter players, they could look at Nick Smith Jr. from Arkansas, Keyonte George from Baylor, or Cason Wallace from Kentucky, as an argument could be made for all three that they could develop into lead guards.

Barlowe: Cason Wallace makes the most sense to me. While some may think it’s a reach, I believe he has more game than he was able to showcase at Kentucky, and more importantly, he seems like a Pop/Spurs guy. People think I’m crazy but I think he’s a mini Kawhi Leonard. He’s quiet, competitive, a great defender, and he loves to get to his spots and shoot midrange pull ups.

Stayman: A Spurs development of Jarace Walker should scare everyone in the league. Assuming the rebuild is completed in a few years, Jarace will be the difference between a first round exit and a conference finals.

Tulaba: I think if you are shooting for star upside, you swing for a guy like Ausar Thompson, who has some of the most profound athleticism in the class with some real playmaking potential and a much cleaner shooting projection than his brother. The other guy who I think would be an underrated fit with the Spurs developmental staff is Brice Sensabaugh. Brice is a 6’6” wing that shot 48/40/80 as a freshman on high three-point volume whilst being a midrange assassin. He’s sort of the evolutionary DeMar DeRozan, and that’s a guy who expanded and developed his game in Pop’s system.

3. Are there any upside swings that should entice the Spurs to package the 32nd and 44th picks to trade back into the first round?

Babcock: Regarding upside prospects, it depends on which players decide to stay in the draft rather than return to school. Still, a few young guys with a lot of untapped potential that come to mind are Noah Clowney from Alabama, Bilal Coulibaly from France, Dillon Mitchell from Texas, and Adem Bona from UCLA.

Barlowe: Wembanyama’s teammate Bilal Coulibaly is worth trading back into the first round for. His stock has skyrocketed over the last few weeks so it may cost more than the 32nd and 44th pick to get him, but he’s made tremendous strides over the last 18 months.

Stayman: With so many people having so many players in the 20-60 range on their boards, someone with high upside will slip. Some fun upside plays in the second round include: Brandin Podziemski, James Nnaji, Nikola Djurisic, and Judah Mintz.

Tulaba: That range is always tricky to project who will be there and who won’t, but I’d say the upside swing that could be there is Bilal Coulibaly. Coulibaly is a 6’7” smooth and athletic wing with a 7’2” wingspan that plays alongside Wembanyama for Mets 92. He’s raw but not that raw because the skills and movement patterns are pretty eye popping at times. In the right system where he hits his top end outcome, I can see him having a Jaylen Brown type ceiling.

4. Who are the early second-round prospects San Antonio should target to address their lack of defense and spacing?

Babcock: I don't expect there to be many options for teams to add high-level outside shooting in the early second round. Still, Kobe Brown from Missouri is one player I am very high on that does provide some outside shooting from the power forward position. However, his outside shooting is an intriguing case to evaluate. He shot the ball exceptionally well this past season, over 45% from three on a relatively sizeable sample size, 112 attempts. However, in the previous several years, he never shot better than 25% from beyond the arc. Regardless, he will be a good option for teams looking to add floor spacing and toughness.

Barlowe: Gonzaga’s Julian Strawther could be an option to address the need for shooting. Noah Clowney could be available at 32, but he could also go mid first round. Coleman Hawkins would be someone I’d gamble on if I’m the Spurs. He has a beautiful looking shot, but it doesn’t go in. If he can develop into a consistent shooter, then he becomes a real weapon at 6’10" because he can pass and averaged 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game this season.

Stayman: Jordan Walsh screams a Spurs fit: length, versatility and defensive prowess as he adds strength with growing offense. Kobe Brown could be another as well, with a strong frame and versatility.

Tulaba: There aren’t many guys who will take care of both of those things in the second round at the moment. Those guys typically go a little higher, but DaRon Holmes is a guy who could be in that range who would help with the defense and has shown flashes of shooting. Holmes is a pogo stick on the court, and if all breaks right he can have a Robert Williams type career arc.

Contributors to this article:

• Matt Babcock - Senior NBA Draft Analyst at Draft Digest

• Rafael Barlowe - Director of Scouting at NBA Big Board

• Richard Stayman - Host of Locked On NBA Big Board

• Corey Tulaba - Founder of No Ceilings