Spurs revenge victory over Golden State comes with potentially steep price

The Spurs' latest victory is a double-edged sword and depending on the fan you ask, it may or may not have been worth it. Golden State not only beat the Silver and Black in San Antonio at the end of March, they obliterated them. The 42-point loss was the highest margin of defeat the Spurs have experienced all year.

When they stood across from Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler last night, they had a choice to make: get their lick back or fold again. They chose the former. While the moment Harrison Barnes drained that three-pointer gave fans more joy than they've felt in months, the cost of victory could be the determining factor in San Antonio's draft order come the NBA Draft Lottery.

Spurs next option if Kon Knueppel is taken

San Antonio should have their eyes focused on Duke wing, Kon Knueppel. He's the best shooter of the draft class and he has a dog inside him that he put on display during the NCAA Tournament. The Spurs need more players with that kind of fight in them and the pedigree he gained from playing at Duke University only makes him more appealing.

In ESPN's latest mock draft, they had the Spurs taking Knueppel with the eighth pick in the draft. That's about the right spot for the sniper born in Milwaukee even if Brian Wright isn't fortunate enough to ring his line.

The Trail Blazers picked ninth overall in the same mock draft and if, by chance, they're the team that jumps San Antonio, Knueppel would be the right pick for them as well. Draft analysts Jonathon Givony and Jeremy Woo have Portland selecting Kasparas Jakucionis—a point guard from Illinois. However, they have too many guards at this point. A shooter on the wing makes more sense for them.

If they or some other team takes Kon before the Spurs have a chance to add him to their growing roster in desperate need of shooting, they'll have to turn their focus to Liam McNeeley. McNeeley has some making up to do after he fell off a bit in the last handful of games played at UConn, but he still projects to be a very good addition to the right team.

The Huskies needed the talented forward to do more playmaking than he'll be asked to do in the NBA. He'll thrive with less responsibility when he's getting open looks courtesy of Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.

It would still be preferable to obtain Knueppel. He looks to be the more reliable shooter, and consistency is key in the pro game. Even so, McNeeley would be a suitable replacement if the chips fall that way come June.