The San Antonio Spurs hold some of the strongest leverage in the NBA Draft for the second consecutive season, with multiple top-10 picks at their disposal.
The Spurs' front office has two main options: use the draft capital to move up into the top-3 or remain with their current picks (No. 4 and 8). If they opt for the latter, San Antonio should strongly consider drafting for pure upside with their second selection, possibly French forward Tidjane Salaun. It should be consensus for the Spurs to find a guard to pair alongside generational talent Victor Wembanyama at No. 4.
Yahoo Sports' Krysten Peek agrees with the mold, mocking Salaun to the Spurs in her latest mock draft.
"Similar to [Zaccharie] Risacher, Salaun capped his season for Cholet on a high note," Peek wrote. "During the second round against Paris Basketball, Salaun averaged 13.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 25 minutes. He's one of the youngest players in the draft, turning 19 in August, and it also helps that Salaun and Wembanyama have played with one another and share the same agent."
The connection to Wembanyama is a help, but it's Salaun's potential that should reel in San Antonio. He has enticing physical attributes, including a lengthy wingspan and strong build while also demonstrating a deep passion for the game on both ends of the floor. As Peek also mentioned, he is one of the most youthful players in the class.
