The lottery order is ready in stone with draft buzz swirling. A moribund Mavericks fan base is rejoicing at a No. 1 draft choose that was as surprising because it was unbelievable. In the meantime, the Spurs and 76ers enjoy leaping the queue regardless of falling simply out of attain of a franchise cornerstone in Cooper Flagg.
The San Antonio Spurs are at a fork within the street because it pertains to team-building, outfitted with the belongings and cap flexibility to decide on their very own journey. Victor Wembanyama is already a mainstay in top-five participant conversations, whereas Stephon Fort, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan spherical out their youth motion.
The primary avenue includes disassembling their younger core and surrendering their choose fairness in pursuit of premier star energy — assuming Giannis Antetokounmpo is amenable to such a pairing. A roster recalibration that prioritizes successful within the fast time period whereas cluttering the books with a number of max-salary slots. Moreover, it reconciles with the truth that Brian Wright and firm voluntarily accelerated their timeline by locking down De’Aaron Fox as their lead guard and designated pick-and-roll ball handler for the foreseeable future.
The second avenue is staying the course with their present nucleus in hopes of fostering one other homegrown famous person to trip shotgun subsequent to Wemby for the lengthy haul. The low cap determine and crew management of a burgeoning star on a rookie deal may dovetail properly into sustained success.
There isn’t a improper reply. In any case, such a optionality solely comes by as soon as in a blue moon.
Ought to San Antonio elect to maintain their powder dry, let’s dive into their choices at No. 2.
The historical past of franchises falling second, and even third, in line for the league’s highest-profile, franchise-altering No. 1 picks supplies loads of reassurance. Whether or not or not it’s Chauncey Billups in 1997, Carmelo Anthony in 2003 or Ja Morant in 2019, the comfort prize within the wake of generational prospects has a glowing observe report. The 2025 class proves to be no completely different with a three-horse race for picks 2 by way of 4 that requires deep forethought.
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
Ostensibly the perfect participant out there at No. 2, Dylan Harper is a 6-foot-6 combo guard with the on-ball dynamism to flourish from Day One. In lots of different draft courses, Harper can be No. 1 with a bullet. He has a command of the offense that’s past his years, dictates tempo with dribble creativity, and is able to carving his solution to the rim at will. With Fox and Fort penciled in as San Antonio’s backcourt of the longer term, the Spurs would wish to redistribute the ball-handling duties with the addition of Harper. Naturally, Fort would take a again seat. Harper’s long-term upside, compatibility with Wemby, and skill to pierce defenses on or off the ball could also be too attractive to cross up.
Airious “Ace” Bailey, SF/SG, Rutgers
Jan 13, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) celebrates in the course of the second half in opposition to the UCLA Bruins at Jersey Mike’s Area. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photographs The perfect match for a guard-heavy Spurs core, Ace Bailey possesses show-stopping expertise that can should be harnessed accordingly. An unambiguously elite pull-up shooter in addition to a 38.7% 3-point shooter off the catch, Bailey’s dimension and ability set on the wing pose to amplify the Fox and Wemby two-man sport. He may be weaponized on the second aspect by attacking closeouts and attending to his spots off the bounce. Moreover, Ace has the measurables and instruments to confront opposing wings defensively. In a streamlined position alongside each a fringe and inside drive, the chances are infinite.
V.J. Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
Jan 7, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) scores a three-point basket in opposition to Cincinnati Bearcats guard Day Day Thomas (1) in the course of the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Necessary Credit score: Chris Jones-Imagn Photographs A preternatural athlete with eye-popping verticality and a serviceable leap shot, V.J. Edgecombe is a high-energy two-guard of the plug-and-play selection. He {couples} placing bodily instruments with dogged dedication on each side of the ball. V.J. is a spotlight manufacturing facility who runs the ground with abandon and detonates on the rim, complementing Fox’s transition tendencies completely. To high it off, Edgecombe is a day-ruining defender on the level of assault in addition to away from the ball. If the Spurs see a world the place he can dabble in small ahead minutes together with his 6-4 body and 6-7 wingspan, he might be within the combine at No. 2.
