Spurs insider reveals two first-round prospects on radar in potential draft-day deal

The Spurs are a little less than one week from making Victor Wembanyama the first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, and their front office will have a chance to bolster their roster with more young talent later that night as they possess two second-round selections. Though General Manager Brian Wright could invest in an experienced college player or make an upside gamble, LJ Ellis of SpursTalk reports the team could use those assets to trade for an additional first-rounder.

"According to the league sources, the Spurs are telling teams their preference is to trade for another first round pick. If that’s unsuccessful, San Antonio has let it be known that they want to trade away at least one of their second round picks. "

- LJ Ellis of SpursTalk

The information from this recent article isn't the first time fans have heard credible whispers about the Spurs showing interest in moving up on draft night. Rafael Barlowe of NBA Big Board shared intel on the ball club looking to acquire another lottery pick after they met with Cason Wallace and Amen Thompson at the Draft Combine in Chicago last month, and Ellis says San Antonio could have their sights set on a brand new pair of backcourt prospects.

"If the Spurs get another selection in the first round, the names I’ve heard most often when discussing that possibility with NBA scouts are Anthony Black and Kobe Bufkin."

- LJ Ellis of SpursTalk

Anthony Black cemented himself as a lottery talent during his lone season at Arkansas, averaging 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while helping the Razorbacks reach their third straight Sweet Sixteen appearance. The 19-year-old was one of the best point guards in the nation, and at 6-foot-7, he has a distinct size advantage over most players at his position. He is a high-level athlete, a clever playmaker, and a dynamic defender who should thrive with NBA spacing.

As for Kobe Bufkin, the sophomore swingman was no slouch either. After a modest maiden voyage with Michigan, he broke onto the scene as a first-round candidate during his second season under the tutelage of head coach Juwan Howard. The smooth three-level scorer averaged 14.0 points and 2.9 assists per game as a full-time starter for a program that housed several nationally ranked high school recruits and a handful of NBA hopefuls like Jett Howard and Hunter Dickinson.

The Silver and Black have the draft capital and young assets to assemble a package to pursue Bufkin, Black, Wallace, or Thompson. With that said, San Antonio could ultimately decide to run it back with Tre Jones and re-sign the fundamentally sound floor general once free agency officially starts in July. No matter what route the franchise settles on in the coming weeks, the arrival of Victor Wembanyama ensures this should be an exhilarating offseason for Spurs fans.