Victor Wembanyama's breakout rookie season was all the proof the Spurs needed to know he will soon be one of the best players in the NBA.
Wembanyama's ascension to stardom will surely expedite San Antonio's rebuilding process, and the team's luck in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery only helped that cause. The Spurs had a top-six protected 2024 first-round pick from the Raptors via the Jakob Poeltl trade last season. The odds favored Toronto to land at No. 6 and keep its pick, but instead, the ping-pong balls bounced in San Antonio's favor.
The Spurs landed the Raptors No. 8 overall pick, giving them two top-10 selections.
Even in a draft that is light on superstar-caliber talent, the Spurs now have two valued assets at their disposal.
Who should the Spurs take at Nos. 4 and 8 overall if they keep their pick? The Sporting News breaks down their 2024 draft selections and best targets below.
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What 2024 NBA Draft picks do the Spurs have?
The Spurs have two first-round picks and two second-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
- No. 4 overall
- No. 8 overall (via TOR)
- No. 35 overall
- No. 48 overall (via LAL)
Toronto's No. 8 overall pick comes from the Poeltl trade during the 2022-23 season. L.A.'s No. 48 overall pick was re-routed to San Antonio from a second-round trade with Memphis in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Who Spurs should select in 2024 NBA Draft
If the Spurs have the opportunity to trade either of their top 10 picks in a package for an established star running mate for Wembanyama, they should do so without thinking twice.
With that being said, here are some prospects they should consider if they keep both first-round picks.
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No. 4 overall
Stephon Castle, G, UConn
I had the Spurs selecting Castle at No. 4 in my post-Lottery Mock Draft, and I'm holding firm that he would be a great fit next to Wembanyama.
Castle wants to play point guard and the Spurs desperately need a floor general to set up Wembanyama for success. The UConn freshman defends at a high level, attacks the basket off the dribble and is a capable playmaker with room to grow.
There are valid concerns about his jump shot, but his versatility on both sides of the ball as a 6-6 guard makes him an easy fit in San Antonio.
Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard is another common name that pops up with the Spurs. His fit next to Wembanyama is clear as one of the most consistent 3-point shooters in the draft.
Sheppard shot 52.1 percent from 3 as a freshman at Kentucky. He's a sound ball-handler and connective passer who gets everyone involved. Sheppard is also an intelligent perimeter defender who could give San Antonio the stability its backcourt needs.
Nikola Topic, G, Crvena zvezda (Serbia)
Topic was widely ranked as a top-five player in this draft class before he was diagnosed with a partially torn ACL. The 19-year-old dealt with knee problems all season but that shouldn't knock his potential down the line.
Topic is the best pick-and-roll guard in this draft class with fantastic court vision and decisive playmaking. He constantly gets downhill and embraces contact as a finisher, but his jump shot needs work.
San Antonio could use a point guard of the future and patience could be a virtue in playing the waiting game on Topic if he's available.
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No. 8 overall (via TOR)
Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
Knecht is my favorite fit for a Spurs team that should be looking to win now.
The 23-year-old is a physical 6-6 forward who is ready to make an immediate impact at the NBA level. He established himself as one of the most prolific three-level scorers in the nation at Tennessee, averaging 21.7 points on 39.7 percent shooting from 3.
His perimeter shooting will only make life easier inside for Wembanyama, but there is a chance he is off the board by No. 8.
Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
Holland is one of the best and most versatile defenders in this draft class. Even though Wembanyama already proved to be arguably the most valuable defensive player in the league, San Antonio's anchor could still use some help.
Holland is fast, long and athletic, defending with relentless energy, crashing the glass and running in transition. His offensive skillset needs polishing but he still averaged 20.6 points per game for the Ignite without a reliable jump shot or NBA-level shot creation skills.
He won't help space the floor for Wembanyama but he would certainly do damage off of cuts if the 7-4 center is double-teamed.
Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
Buzelis is another high-upside option for the Spurs at No. 8.
The 6-10 forward is a versatile scorer who could stretch the floor next to Wembanyama. He only shot 27.3 percent from 3 with the Ignite but his mechanics indicate that he's not far from being a perimeter shooting threat.
He showed improvement as a defender this past season and will continue to get better as he puts on more weight.
Buzelis doesn't necessarily fit the "win-now" timeline but San Antonio's renowned player development program would be ideal for him to reach his full potential.
