While the San Antonio Spurs continue their march towards yet another Championship their scouting department must be keeping an eye on and evaluating talent for the upcoming 2014 NBA Entry Draft.
Due to their regular season success the Spurs pick last, 30th overall, in the first round. Typically this isn’t the spot where one finds future long tenured NBA players; however, there have been draft day gems found throughout the draft order so one just never knows.
The last time the Spurs had a draft pick better than 20th overall was back in 1998 when they drafted Tim Duncan. Despite the low draft picks the Spurs scouting department has uncovered such gems as Manu Ginobili 57th overall, Tony Parker 28th overall, Luis Scola 55th overall, John Salmons 26th overall, Leandro Barbosa 28th overall, Beno Udrih 28th overall, Tiago Splitter 28th overall, Goran Dragic 45th overall, George Hill 26th overall and DeJuan Blair 37th overall. I’d say they have faired pretty well over the years.
While other teams in the league can simply reload through free-agency, the Spurs are not one of those clubs. San Antonio is not viewed as a big-market for basketball as it lacks the appeal of Los Angeles, Miami and others. The team has been able to lure players due to their success and chance to play with the big three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili.
Problem for the Spurs is that the trio that has carried the franchise for the better part of 14 years is nearing it’s end. All three guys will be free-agents at the conclusion of next season and while they may each decide to play a couple more seasons that might just be the ceiling. Duncan who is 38-years old might just decide to pack it in after next season. Ginobili who is 36-years old probably has a couple seasons left in him and Parker who is 31-years old could conceivably play for another 5-6 years if he stays healthy.
Biggest Draft Day Need
One cannot simply replace an all-time great like Duncan, but the Spurs will need to start thinking about and looking for some options here. The Spurs would be wise to draft a skilled big man here, one with good hands, good footwork and a work ethic to outshine all. Take advantage of the tutelage that Duncan can provide in his final years and bring in a skilled big man who will learn and spell off minutes for his mentor as the season progresses.
The Spurs have guys like Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph as young up and comers to help on the perimeter and the point. Where the club is lacking is depth at the center position. Splitter is a scrappy grinder like player who provides great minutes and solid defense, but with Duncan out of the game there is a huge void.
If the Spurs are intent on spending under the salary cap and holding steady on this year’s crop of free agents then they will need to address their frontcourt depth via the draft. I’d like to see the Spurs move away from their international draft inclinations and pick from the NCAA ranks. A big bodied guy like Patric Young from Florida who can finish around the basket, get out in transition and who is a good passer out of the post would be a good fit for their system. Young seems eager to learn and get better and he would come into the league with a body that is ready for the grind and pounding that the Association presents.