Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports The Spurs have two lottery picks, and every site varies on how they will use them. Although we now know who will pick where in the 2024 NBA Draft, we won’t know who picks whom until — well, draft night. Unlike last year, there is no clear cut favorite or even top three or four, making this one of the more entertaining buildups to a draft. It’s even more intriguing for the Spurs, who, barring a trade, will be picking twice in the top 10 at 4th and 8th (via the Raptors), so I thought it would be fun to look at some post-lottery mock drafts to see who others feel the Spurs will select. The selections vary just as wildly as expected, but most seem to agree on at least one thing: the Spurs need another point guard. Let us know what you think about these selections and who you would pick in the comments below! (A couple of notable names that did not get tied to the Spurs are Zaccharie Risacher and Reed Sheppard, but of course that doesn’t mean anything.) The Ringer 4. Rob Dillingham (guard, Kentucky) — “Dillingham’s shiftiness in the backcourt would provide a stark contrast alongside Victor Wembanyama, giving the Spurs a potentially fascinating two-man combination that defenses can’t switch against. But after also landing the eighth pick courtesy of the Raptors, perhaps the Spurs could attempt to move up for their dream target or swing a trade for a proven player.” 8. Cody Williams (Wing, Colorado) — “Williams didn’t pop the way many hoped as a freshman at Colorado, but he still provides a rare blend of size, fluidity, and scoring upside. He could fit perfectly next to Wembanyama and Dillingham, giving the Spurs a tremendous young trio. And you can’t forget Jeremy Sochan or Devin Vassell, either. San Antonio would have a potentially deadly five-man lineup.” SB Nation 4. Ron Holland (forward, G League Ignite) — “The G League Ignite had such a miserable season that the NBA shut down the entire program. The nightmare context of the team’s season makes evaluating their top prospects even more challenging, and no one is more representative of that than Ron Holland. Holland entered this draft cycle last summer as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the class, but his turnover issues, inefficient scoring, and outsized role now have some wondering if he’s even a top-10 pick. I think that’s overthinking it: Holland is still a big 6’8 wing with high-level speed and leaping, a motor that never stops running, and some untapped playmaking potential. Holland is at his best offensively by getting downhill and attacking the basket with force. He can jump higher and hang in the air longer than his opponents, and also has no issues playing through contact. His jump shot remains a major work in progress (23.7 percent from three on 97 attempts), and his decision-making off the dribble can be problematic, too (93 turnovers to 90 assists). Holland should have an easier transition defensively. He’s quick enough on his feet getting around screens to handle wing stopper duties, he’s strong enough to provide resistance as the low man, and he has a knack for grabbing 50/50 balls. Holland will need to fix his jump shot to warrant a pick this early in the draft, but his physical gifts, relentless mentality, and youth (he doesn’t turn 19 until July 7) still makes him a top prospect.” 8. Stephon Castle (guard, UConn) — “Castle is a big, physical guard who can lockdown defensively while playing a connective role on offense. At 6’6, 220 pounds with a 6’9 wingspan, Castle has a tremendous combination of quickness and power that allows him to handle tough defensive assignments at the point of attack. He’s very good at sliding his feet, getting over screens, and keeping his chest in front of ball handlers. He has strong hands to rip the ball away on digs, and he shows good instincts as a help defender. Offensively is where the question marks lie for Castle, and it starts with his jump shot. He only hit 26.7 percent of 75 attempts from three-point range this year, and his tenancy to turn down open looks was even more discouraging than his percentages. He did shoot 75 percent on free throws, though, so it’s not like his touch is totally broken. If the shot comes along, Castle has some other offensive skills to work with. While he doesn’t have the greatest burst as a driver, Castle is still a load going downhill and uses his strength well to create space and finish at the basket (54.4 percent on two-pointers). He’s also a good offensive rebounder who can get putbacks and keep possessions alive. It isn’t hard to imagine Castle playing a similar role to Marcus Smart or maybe Jrue Holiday, but the shot must come around for him to hit his potential.” Bleacher Report 4. Nikola Topic (guard, Serbia) — “More than anything else, the San Antonio Spurs will value his ability to create shots for teammates with his dribble manipulation, vision and advantageous 6’6” size for passing. The Spurs also don’t have a ball-handler who puts pressure on defenses and the rim like Topić. And it was promising to see him hit both of his three-point attempts in his first game back. While his outside percentages have been underwhelming, he shows confidence and command stepping into jumpers, and his free-throw numbers have always been near or over 80.0 percent. Unless the Spurs question the translatability of his scoring or see more upside in a shotmaker, Topić’s production/comfort level overseas and his fit with Victor Wembanyama could give him an edge with San Antonio.” 8. Rob Dillingham (guard, Kentucky) — “The San Antonio Spurs will likely consider Rob Dillingham with their first pick, though Nikola Topić’s 6’6” size and superior playmaking could give him an edge for this particular roster. Shot selection and defensive concerns could allow San Antonio to grab Dillingham with the Toronto Raptors’ pick. He would give the lineup an additional ball-handler who also shot 47.8 percent off the catch, a good sign for his potential to play alongside a more natural point guard. There isn’t a prospect in the draft with a more potent package of creativity and shotmaking. But scouts will be eager to learn his updated measurements, with Kentucky listing him at just 176 pounds.” Yahoo 4. Nikola Topic (guard, Serbia) — “The Spurs need a playmaker to get Wembanyama the ball, and Topić is one of the best passers in this draft class. Topić was sidelined for over three months with a knee injury, but he’s back playing for KK Crvena Zvezda in Serbia. The 6-6 point guard is averaging 5.9 assists per game. In a recent win on May 3, his second game back from injury, Topić put up eight points, six assists and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench. He has recorded 10 assists twice this season and is only averaging two turnovers per game as the team’s primary ball-handler.” 8. Rob Dillingham (guard, Kentucky) — “The Kentucky point guard was arguably one of the best players in the country while coming off the bench. Dillingham is incredibly shifty and doesn’t shy away from big shots or big moments when the game is on the line. Teams might be wary of how productive he can be as an undersized point guard in the league, but he didn’t have a problem creating separation off the dribble playing in the SEC. Dillingham averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists in his one season at Kentucky. The Spurs have the opportunity to draft two great facilitators inside the lottery and create more options for chemistry and growth around Wembanyama.” CBS Sports 4. Nikola Topic (guard, Serbia) — “Hard to find a better pairing with Wemby than Topic here. He’s a smooth guard from Mega who has a big frame and fits the profile of a multi-positional facilitator. Can play downhill and attack plus has an advanced feel for the game that should translate to early production in the NBA.” 8. Dalton Knecht (wing, Tennessee) — “After adding shooting and playmaking at No. 4, the Spurs come back and add more to their backcourt here with the late-rising Knecht. He was a star at Northern Colorado who became an All-American last season at Tennessee and has scoring pop to surround Victor Wembanyama with more weaponry.” Source: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2024/5/ ... tery-picks