The San Antonio Spurs want a long-term choice at level guard. Not less than that’s what everybody and their uncle appears to assume. Even individuals who don’t observe basketball would most likely bark your ear off about San Antonio needing a participant who can throw entry passes or lobs to Victor Wembanyama.
Spurs Normal Supervisor, Brian Wright, and the remainder of the entrance workplace heard it as a lot as we did. That’s why they went out and signed veteran level guard Chris Paul in free company and drafted the jumbo playmaker, Stephon Fortress, with their first decide. A current Jake Fischer report for Yahoo Sports activities signifies that they have been initially considering a lot larger.
Fischer experiences that earlier than signing Paul and drafting Fortress, the Spurs had inquired about Cleveland Cavaliers guard, Darius Garland, and Indiana Pacers breakout, Andrew Nembhard. The Cavaliers spurned any provides for his or her all-star level guard and the Pacers just lately prolonged Nembhard, who was their third-best participant final yr. The Spurs made calls to different NBA groups with “veteran guards who’ve nonetheless but to enter their primes,” in keeping with Fischer.
These rumors point out the Spurs need to pair a dynamic lead guard with Wembanyama, long-term. Nembhard and Garland are each smaller guards who can area the ground and play with or with out the ball. When nothing materialized, San Antonio went with the short-term reply in Paul, who can man the place till they discover a long-term choice. Fortress showcased affected person pick-and-roll play and strong flooring imaginative and prescient in his three Summer season League video games, indicating he may ultimately grow to be their level guard of the long run. He nonetheless has lots to work on when it comes to creating an offensive benefit off the dribble and spacing the ground along with his soar shot, so he’ll want time to develop.
What’s equally fascinating is the Spurs Insider Podcast reported that San Antonio had Kentucky guard, Reed Sheppard above Fortress on its draft board. Sheppard performed a extra conventional combo guard position with the Wildcats the place he shot the three at an above 50% clip whereas appearing as considered one of their main playmakers. Nembhard, Garland and Sheppard all are youthful guards who can shoot, run the pick-and-roll, and maintain their very own defensively – in case you have been questioning what San Antonio needs in a guard to pair with Wembanyama.
It additionally begs the query: why wasn’t there a extra critical pursuit of Atlanta Hawks guard, Trae Younger this summer time? When Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, it appeared like they could tear the staff down and rebuild after getting the primary decide within the draft. San Antonio owns the Hawks 2025 and 2027 unprotected picks they might dangle to seize the all-star guard. The shortage of curiosity there reveals how a lot the Spurs worth these picks, or signifies issues with Younger’s turnovers (4.4 a recreation) and poor protection.
The purpose guard place looms heavy over the way forward for the Spurs roster. A rotation of Paul, Tre Jones and Fortress shall be an enchancment over final season. However none of them has confirmed they’ll be the long-term choice but. Fortress’s improvement shall be essential to observe this season. If he appears to be like extra like an off-ball participant, like he was at UCONN, the Spurs may nonetheless have their eyes on the commerce market or free company. In any case, who wouldn’t need to throw lobs to Wemby?
