A guard chosen by the Spurs within the 2024 draft is perhaps out for the 12 months. Don’t fear, nothing occurred to Stephon Citadel. Juan Nuñez, the thirty sixth total choose San Antonio acquired from the Pacers by swapping second-rounders, has been battling with a knee harm and his coach has mentioned he doesn’t count on him to be again this season.
Nuñez shall be reevaluated and will return, so the harm shouldn’t be a long-term concern, however since he may very well be executed for the 12 months, this seems like an excellent second to verify in on the one younger stashed prospect the Spurs have.
Who’s Juan Nuñez once more?
Nuñes is a 20-year-old Spanish level guard. The Spurs chosen him with the thirty sixth total choose of the 2024 NBA draft and he remained in Europe to develop. Initially, there have been some rumors that he would make the leap instantly, however as soon as Chris Paul was within the image, it was clear he was going to remain overseas, taking part in for European powerhouse Barcelona.
Nuñez has been a recognized amount to scouts since he was a young person and thought of probably the greatest European guard prospects. He grew up taking part in for Actual Madrid earlier than going to the German league to play for Ulm and having a breakout season. Barcelona turned occupied with him and bought his rights, not with out some controversy. FIBA legend and former Grizzlie Juan Carlos Navarro is answerable for personnel in Barcelona. Nuñez was relationship his daughter, resulting in some accusations of nepotism by followers. His play in Germany, his youth and his intensive profession within the Spanish nationwide groups make the accusation laughable, nevertheless it was prevalent for some time, partially as a result of he was a creating prospect on a win-now roster.
How has Nuñez’s season been going?
It’s been up and down, identical to Barcelona’s, due to issues past his management. The plan with Nuñez initially was to convey him alongside slowly, as his membership had extra established gamers like former Spurs Tomas Satoranski and Nicolas Laprovittola together with Kevin Punter and Dario Brizuela at guard. Accidents pressured Barcelona’s coach Joan Peñarroya, to lean extra on the younger guard than it was projected, and Nuñez was as much as the problem, for probably the most half.
The stats — 5 factors, 2.4 rebounds and three.5 assists in round quarter-hour a recreation in Euroleague matches — will not be flashy, however video games are shorter in Europe, most groups unfold their taking part in time round and it’s tougher to be credited with an help than it’s within the NBA. Barça additionally runs a number of its offense by means of perimeter scorers like Punter and Alex Abrines, so Nuñez is requested to be a caretaker, not a featured creator, an analogous position to the one Tre Jones performed for the Spurs lately.
Nuñez primarily showcased the identical strengths and weaknesses through the season that bought him drafted initially. He runs the pick-and-roll as a veteran regardless of his age and may get an offense into its units, which is what he’s been requested to do. He doesn’t have the instruments to have an awesome defender however he hasn’t killed Barcelona on that finish and he improved because the season went on, identical to the crew did. He does have good instincts off the ball and at all times brings the hassle. The principle concern stays his lateral quickness. Once more, the pre-draft assessments appear to nonetheless apply.
The issue is that Nuñez’s exterior shot has regressed. After connecting on 36 p.c of his makes an attempt in Eurocup competitors final season, he’s gone right down to 27 p.c on Euroleague play. In home league play, he was dangerous in Germany and even worse in Spain. He nonetheless shoots threes at a good quantity, which is encouraging, however the jumper is simply not dependable. He doesn’t have a mid-range recreation both and his poor free-throw taking pictures (underneath 70 p.c for his profession) provides much more causes for concern.
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Nuñez has proven that his strengths translate to a smaller position in opposition to higher competitors. The difficulty is that he hasn’t been capable of mitigate his greatest weak point.
Ought to the Spurs convey Nuñez over subsequent offseason?
He’s clearly not prepared. Nuñez was alleged to have a comparatively pressure-free season as part of Barcelona’s guard platoon. Accidents to others made it inconceivable and Nuñez’s personal harm would possibly stop him from ending his first season taking part in on the highest stage. He’s handled extra accountability effectively, nevertheless it seems like maintaining him stashed so he can get invaluable expertise is the precise determination.
Past not dashing to convey over a participant who’s youthful than anybody at present on the Spurs’ roster aside from Stephon Citadel, the skin shot is such an enormous concern that till it stops being a evident weak point, bringing Nuñez to the NBA doesn’t appear smart. The identical applies to his point-of-attack protection, which wants refinement to make up for his less-than-ideal bodily instruments. Since he’s a second-round choose, there’s no rush to get him on a rookie contract.
Nuñes stays an intriguing prospect, not as a result of he has star potential however as a result of he may very well be a strong level guard with conventional traits. Each crew might use an excellent passer with a excessive basketball IQ and Nuñez suits the invoice. If the shot comes round, he’ll most likely put on Silver and Black sooner or later.
