Welcome to the Open Thread. In the course of the month of June, we’re speaking NBA Draft. As we lead as much as the 2025 NBA Draft on June twenty fifth, we will likely be revisiting the Spurs draft decisions. At this time we bear in mind the 2007 NBA Draft.
After successful a championship in opposition to the (first incarnation) LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, the Spurs went into the 2007 NBA Draft in the hunt for a giant man.
Though the Spurs drafted Brazilian Energy Ahead/Middle Tiago Splitter, he signed a two-year contract with Saski Baskonia that paid him considerably greater than rookie scale would permit. The wait was price it as Splitter joined in 2010 as a back-up middle earlier than becoming a member of the beginning 5 two years later. He was part of the Spurs 2014 Redemption NBA Championship.
in 2015, Splitter was traded to Atlanta for Georgios Printezis and a 2017 second spherical draft decide in an try to clear cap house to chase LaMarcus Aldridge, probably the most coveted free agent that summer time.
Sadly, Splitter spent a lot of his post-Spurs years riddled with harm. He retired after a hip harm. He served as a professional scout and an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets till 2023. He then spent a 12 months as an assistant in Houston earlier than transferring on to Paris Basketball as head coach.
As talked about yesterday, the Spurs has acquired the upper second-round draft decide from the Milwaukee Bucks in trade for Damir Markota. That was used for Marcus Williams because the thirty third decide in draft. He wore #33 and performed 1 recreation earlier than being waived. He performed for the Austin Toros earlier than heading to the Los Angeles Clippers. A season later Williams would return to the Spurs for two video games, sarcastically carrying the #2. In whole, Williams performed 13 NBA video games, 3 of them for the Spurs, earlier than ending out his profession in 2015 enjoying in China.
Within the 58th decide, the Spurs drafted Georgios Printezis (sure, the very same one talked about above) however traded him to the Toronto Raptors for a second spherical draft decide in 2008. His rights have been later traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Alexis Ajinça. In 2011, his rights have been traded to the New York Knicks. He turned down a contract with the Knicks and his rights have been then traded to the Portland Trailblazers. A 12 months later, his rights have been traded to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. And one more 12 months later in 2014 his rights went to the Atlanta Hawks the place they stayed for one more 12 months till those self same rights have been then traded again to the Spurs for Tiago Splitter. Thoughts you, Printezis by no means performed within the NBA. However his rights undoubtedly made the rounds. He’s performed in Greece with Olympiacos for twelve of his fourteen seasons. In that span, he has gained two EuroLeague Championships.
So, to recap – the 2007-08 season ended with precisely one recreation that includes a participant drafted by the Spurs in the course of the summer time. The dividends would emerge later via Tiago Splitter, presumably probably the most utilized Spurs draftee since Manu Ginobili. And draft rights to a participant who would find yourself with the Spurs not as soon as however twice. If you happen to assume it is a lot to absorb, wait till Printezis’ commerce decide is utilized in 2008.
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