The Ringer just predicted the Spurs to pull off a big draft night steal

The San Antonio Spurs are currently preoccupied with the playoffs right now, but the NBA draft is right around the corner. With the 20th pick courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks, the Ringer predicts they will draft Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson.

At first glance, he is an intriguing prospect and one who fits a team need. At 6'9" and 240 lb, he is a burly power forward, which is becoming increasingly rare in the NBA.

Most teams often have small forwards scale up and play the four, with the Spurs being no exception. Both Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie started off as small forwards in the NBA.

However, with Barnes potentially not returning this summer, San Antonio could seek out more depth. Carter Bryant appears likely to start next season, while Champagnie may back him up.

Nevertheless, they could also use a more traditional power forward who can scale up and play center. Jackson has the ability to do that.

Joshua Jefferson may hear his name called by the Spurs

Many were hoping that the Spurs would be selecting in the lottery thanks to their pick swap with the Hawks. That didn't happen, but San Antonio could still upgrade at a position of weakness.

There are several power forwards expected to go in San Antonio's range, including Jefferson. Jefferson has several distinct pros and cons to his game.

A major plus is that he is a talented passer, averaging nearly five per game, a rarity for a traditional power forward. He is also terrific at getting to the free throw line, averaging 6.1 free throw attempts per game and 7.1 per 36 minutes.

However, he only shot 70% at the line. That along with him connecting on 34.5% from three on 3.1 3-point attempts per game makes it 50/50 whether he'll be a stretch four in the NBA.

Jefferson may fit the Spurs but perhaps is not the best option

Defensively, he is a bit slow-footed and not the most athletic. To his credit, Jefferson has exceptional hands, allowing him to poke the ball away, and has good defensive instincts.

That resulted in him racking up an eye-popping 1.6 steals in just 30 minutes per game. His age is another questionable area.

Jefferson will be 22 and a half by the time he gets drafted. That makes him a lower-ceiling prospect but potentially one with a higher floor.

It's not hard to imagine him carving out a long career in the NBA. Especially if Jefferson can be a reliable 3-point shooter in the league.

In that case, his potential role on the Spurs is a lot clearer. Jefferson can score in the post using his strength, is a decent rebounder, a great passer, a capable defender, and is good at getting to the line.

Still, there may be better power forward prospects than him, specifically Yaxel Lendenborg and Karim Lopez. However, if they are off the board when it comes time for the Spurs to draft, Jefferson wouldn't be a bad choice.

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