Perfect draft fit must become Spurs focus after worst stretch of season

The Spurs are currently on their worst losing streak of the season. They've lost four games in a row, and it's probably going to get much worse, considering the upcoming competition. San Antonio gets two days off before their final matchup with the Western Conference's number two seeded Memphis Grizzlies, followed by a date with the West's number one seed: the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But that's okay. This is the path they must take for greater fortunes later. It's like Frodo's journey in Lord of the Rings. It's a treacherous path, but it's for a good reason. Instead of letting emotions run wild with the team's collapse, it's time to focus on Atlanta and get familiar with the promising prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. There's one I'd like to focus on today who would fit the Spurs perfectly.

Liam McNeeley would be great on the Spurs

San Antonio could return to the UConn well this summer and draft Liam McNeeley. This kid is a 6'7" (or 6'8" depending on where you look) forward, shooting 41% from three. He has a versatile scoring game that can get the team points from just about anywhere on the floor. McNeeley can get hot quick and fill it up without taking a ton of shots.

He wouldn't need the ball in his hands as an initiator; he can get buckets in the flow of the offense. His pro-comparisons are Dan Majerle and Klay Thompson. That is the exact type of player the Spurs need right now. Depending on what mock draft you look at, the UConn hooper could go as high as fifth in the draft, so they may need to move up to get him, but that's why you have all of those assets.

San Antonio can't be afraid to make a trade to get their guy if they determine that he's the right fit, and it's easy to see McNeeley fit with De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama. He gives them a reliable outlet who can knock down the three with consistency. His release is smooth and more textbook, meaning it will translate easily and be more reliable over time.

He can pass the ball well, and he can move his feet well enough to guard multiple positions. Everyone is talking about Cooper Flagg, and justifiably so, but it's unlikely the Spurs will get the number one draft pick again. There's still a lot of talent to be had in the first round, however, and adding someone like McNeeley would be a huge win for San Antonio.

It's time to stop drafting guys who aren't great shooters, hoping they'll improve and get a player known for knocking down long-distance shots.

The Atlanta watch is on

The Hawks are currently projected to land the 11th pick in the draft. There's time for that to improve, but it's going to be tough. The teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference are obviously trying to tank, so getting below them while Atlanta is actually trying to win will be difficult. They don't have an incentive to tank, so they're not going to.

The Hawks have a 27-32 record, putting them 9th in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls sit four games behind them. That's not insurmountable, but it's hard to see Chicago stringing enough wins together to surpass them. The hope is that the Hawks don't move up any further. They're only a game behind Miami, and the Heat have been struggling mightily.

Atlanta has the 24th-ranked strength-of-schedule over their 23 remaining games. The best-case scenario will likely see them stay where they're at in the East, but Portland wins a few games they shouldn't. That would give the Hawks better odds for the 10th pick, which means the Spurs would have better odds for two top-10 picks. That would be an absolute win.