Air Alamo
FanSided

Spurs fans owe everything to these post-Duncan draft picks

The Spurs knocked it out of the park with these players.
ByNathan Rogers|
Jun 22, 2023; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Victor Wembanyama poses for photos with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Jun 22, 2023; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Victor Wembanyama poses for photos with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

We are just a couple of short weeks away from the NBA draft, making it a good time to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the best Spurs draft picks in the modern era.

The Spurs have frequently been towards the bottom of the draft board or left without first-round picks entirely. Their dominance has often come on the back of excellent trades and securing big names in free agency, but that doesn't mean they haven't killed it in the draft.

Spurs management has been notoriously great at finding talent in the later parts of the draft, and this list will prove that. I have collected a group of the five best Spurs draft picks since Tim Duncan and ranked them based on their entire body of work and overall talent.

1. Victor Wembanyama, 2023 Pick #1

Career Averages: 22.5 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.8 APG and 3.7 BPG

I know it is early, but Wembanyama is pound for pound the most talented player the Spurs have drafted since Tim Duncan. Having played only 117 games so far in his NBA career, Wembanyama has already taken the league by storm, posting absurd stat lines, leading the NBA in blocks, and winning Rookie of the Year.

Wembanyama is number one on this list, but when it's all said and done, there's a good chance he will be within the top three of Spurs all-time lists. The sky is truly the limit for him, and his rise to the top of the NBA could start as soon as next season. Be grateful, Spurs fans, because we have a generational talent on board for the next decade.

2. Tony Parker, 2001 Pick #29

Career Averages: 15.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, and 0.8 SPG

You can't talk about the Spurs' success in the 2000s without mentioning Tony Parker. Parker is a hallmark name of the Spurs franchise and one of the most accomplished players to put on the Black and Silver. He was an essential part of the Spurs dynasty and the engine that ran the whole operation.

The first of many draft day steals on this list, Parker relished in a massively successful career, hailing from the end of the first round. Parker earned six All-Star game appearances and four All-NBA team nominations and finished three times in the top 10 of MVP ballots.

His impressive longevity and long-time success earned him a place in the Hall of Fame, and he will be forever remembered as a Spurs legend.

3. Manu Ginobili, 1999 Pick #57

Career Averages: 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 1.3 SPG

Perhaps the biggest draft steal in NBA history not named Nikola Jokic, the Spurs snagged a Hall of Famer just three picks before the end of the draft. Ginobili is the greatest example of the Spurs' management brilliance, pulling this kid out of the woodwork and turning him into an all-time great.

Much like Parker, Ginobili was vital to the Spurs' 2000s era dynasty, and they would have never achieved what they did without him. Shaping into one of the greatest sixth men ever, Ginobili took pride in leading the bench group and was one of the most trustworthy players you will find.

In his Hall of Fame resume, Ginobili picked up two All-Star and All-NBA selections and was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate for a large part of his career.

A crazy fact, Ginobili finished within the top 12 of the MVP voting twice while playing the majority of his games off the bench. We may never see a bench player as valuable as Ginobili again.

4. Dejounte Murray, 2016 Pick #29

Career Averages: 15.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.4 APG, and 1.5 SPG

Dejounte Murray took some time getting going in San Antonio, but he was electric once he hit his stride. In particular, Murray was astounding in the 2021-22 season, earning his All-Star debut. He kept the Spurs afloat during a transitional period and was once the best player on the team.

While his stint was short, and we sadly had to see him go after such a great beginning to his Spurs career, the team is still reaping the rewards of what Murray had brought us. With his do-it-all abilities and excellent work on the defensive end, Spurs fans will never forget his impact on the team in the early 2020s.

5. George Hill, 2008 Pick #26

Career Averages: 10.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.1 APG and 0.9 SPG

A true NBA journeyman, many forget that the elite sixth man, George Hill, began his career on the Spurs. Hill kicked off his prolific career, averaging 12.4 points in his sophomore campaign, and quickly became a hugely impactful player.

Hill was as consistent as they come: you could count on him for buckets on any given night. He assisted Duncan and the rest of the pack towards multiple top-of-the-league seasons. Hill and Ginobili formed one of the greatest bench tandems in Spurs history.

Trading him brought Kawhi Leonard to the 210, and the result was another championship. While Hill's time in San Antonio was brief, his long and fruitful career will forever be recognized.