What the Spurs can look to get from second and fourteenth picks

The 2025 NBA Draft is coming. On June twenty fifth, thirty NBA groups will give 60 gamers a possibility to stake their declare on basketball’s largest stage.

Every day in June, we are going to look again on the picks the Spurs made during the last 24 years. There have been some legendary picks in addition to some names that fell by the wayside.

At the moment, let’s take a look at the final twelve years of the #2 and #14 draft picks, the 2 first spherical picks at present on the Spurs schedule.

#2

What ought to the Spurs search for within the second decide. By and huge, the participant ought to be ready-to-go on day one. Whereas they should not anticipate a cornerstone participant (they usually don’t since Victor Wembanyama has that function), a stable starter or bench chief ought to evolve briefly period of time. The important thing issue is avoiding damage. Have a look at the latest previous.

These second picks are nothing to scoff at. All have develop into bonafide stars of their time. Because it goes with basketball, accidents are the best figuring out consider longevity and success.

Chet Homlgren spent his rookie season out, however got here in second in 2024 for Rookie of the 12 months voting behind Victor Wembanyama. Holmgren is awaiting an opponent within the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.

Like Holmgren, Jalen Inexperienced has ignited the younger core of the Houston Rockets. He’s averaging 20+ per sport for his quick profession and elevates the crew. The Rockets have a mixture of youth and expertise that obtained them into the playoffs for the primary time for the reason that pandemic bubble.

What Ja Morant does on the rely makes him probably the most mesmerizing gamers within the sport. If he can maintain his off courtroom personae in examine, he’s a legend within the making.

The Lakers had three stable back-to-back #2 picks from 2015-2017, none whom nonetheless play on the crew. They blew it up for a fast repair with LeBron James, a bolt of lightning that has did not strike twice.

Lonzo Ball has suffered a number of well being setbacks from his authentic promise and D’Angelo Russell has advanced into extra a stable function participant than a go-to. Brandon Ingram has additionally suffered a number of accidents, however averages 23 factors per sport for all of his time in New Orleans, over 5 seasons and counting.

#14

From this checklist, it turns into obvious that drafting right here might be hit and miss, and what you’re actually on the lookout for is a participant who can develop right into a dependable starter or bench x-factor.

Whereas the names that seem on the #14 checklist might not be instantly recognizable to the passive basketball watcher, it’s price noting that Aaron Nesmith is an x-factor for the Indiana Pacers proper now, whereas they’re pushing towards a possibility to make the NBA Finals for the primary time.

In the identical vein Michael Porter, Jr. is a dependable starter for the Denver Nuggets behind a generational expertise and two stars. He performed a job of their 2023 NBA title run.

And has anybody observed that Bam Adebayo was a former fourteenth decide? He’s greater than an x-factor or a stable starter — he’s an integral a part of the Miami Warmth. He and Tyler Herro are the cornerstone of the Warmth’s future. Collectively, they’ve made two title runs that got here up quick within the Finals.

Honorable point out to Moses Moody who confirmed stable bench potential for Golden State within the playoffs this yr.

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