San Antonio Spurs Draft Review

Current Roster
PG: Tony Parker*/DeJounte Murray
SG: Danny Green/Derrick White/Bryn Forbes
SF: Kawhi Leonard/Kyle Anderson/Jaron Blossomgame
PF: LeMarcus Aldridge/Davis Bertans
C: -
*When Healthy

2017 Free Agents 
Unrestricted
C Pau Gasol
G Manu Ginobili
G Patty Mills
C Dewayne Dedmon
C Joel Anthony
C David Lee (player option)

Restricted
G Jonathon Simmons

Who They Drafted 
1-29 Derrick White PG/SG, Colorado
2-59 Jaron Blossomgame, SF/PF Clemson
At the end of the first round, the Spurs drafted Derrick White, a Division II transfer who played one season at Colorado before heading into the NBA. White is an all around contributor that has a chance to be a really quality rotation player, due to all he can do. Able to score from all over the floor, White isn't a transcendent athlete, but he uses his shiftiness and change of speed style to break down defenses and again, though not a huge leaper he finishes well because of his craft and toughness. His jumper is quick and he can score off the catch or dribble and is good at pulling up from the midrange. While more of a combo guard than pure point, White is a capable playmaker who is very patient when running the offense, taking his time to make the correct pass. Defensively, White doesn't have huge upside due to his good not great physical tools. However, he finds ways to make plays defensively (1.5 steals, 1.8 blocks per 40) and could definitely be above-average with time. White might not have a massive ceiling, but his style of play is so suited to the modern game and he is versatile enough to play both guard spots that he should stick around for a long time and perhaps reach the levels of another former Spurs guard, George Hill. White will probably play a similar role to what Hill did for the Spurs, playing both guard positions and provide energy, shooting, and defense off the bench. White also pairs well with Dejounte Murray, the Spurs presumed backcourt of the future, because Murray is all athleticism and attack while White is a more steady, well-rounded player.
The second to last pick in the draft is highly likely to turn into nothing at all, but the Spurs have that magic touch... and the player they picked, Jaron Blossomgame, is the type of player they just might do something with. Already 24, Blossomgame is very old for a prospect and probably doesn't have much left in the way of development, which is a problem because while he brings a lot to the table, he has one major flaw they might hold him back. A super explosive combo forward with more small forward's body, Blossomgame plays with a ton of energy, getting out in transition, attacking the glass, and slashing to the rim in a straight line. It is easy to see him becoming a very good defensive player and a plus on the glass and in transition, however his slashing game seems unlikely to translate due to the fact that he can't shoot consistently, which means defenders can play way off him, which not only makes drives more difficult but messes with the space for the other players on the floor. Blossomgame will likely spend a lot of time in the G-League, where he should focus on his shooting and handle, which is what he'd need to improve to be a contributor. Could he become an Andre Roberson or even fellow Spur Jonathon Simmons? Sure, but at 24 (a year and a half younger than fourth year NBA vet Roberson) the odds are slim.

What They Need Going Forward
With a ton of free agents, particularly at center, the Spurs will have a chance to add a big name free agent before bringing back Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, and Simmons. Point guard is the obvious area they could upgrade, as Murray and White are mostly unproven and Tony Parker is injured. They were reportedly in on Chris Paul, who ended up on their rival Rockets, but Kyle Lowry, Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague, or George Hill are possible options that would really improve their outlook, even for a team that won 61 games last season.

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2015 Draft Preview: San Antonio Spurs

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Tony Parker/Patty Mills

SG: Reggie Williams

SF: Kyle Anderson

PF: Boris Diaw

C: Tiago Splitter

2015 Free Agents

PF Aron Baynes (RFA)

PG Cory Joseph (RFA)

SF Kawhi Leonard (RFA)

PF Jeff Ayres

SG Marco Belinelli

PF Matt Bonner

F/C Tim Duncan

SG Manu Ginobili

SG Danny Green

2015 Draft Picks

1-26

2-25(55)

Team Needs

The Spurs will keep Spurs-ing along, likely bringing back at least Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili and a couple other role players. The biggest question this offseason really is what happens with Danny Green. Green is a very valuable player for San Antonio  but he will likely get big offers in the off-season from teams with cap space which the Spurs won't want to match is Green willing to take less to stay in a perfect situation? Other Spurs have in the past, but not on their first big payday. If Green does depart, it will leave a hole at shooting guard that will need to be replaced with another 3-and-D player. Besides that, San Antonio is always planning for the future with players that fit their system and can step up when called upon.

Potential Fits

If the Spurs are looking to replace Danny Green, their are two main options likely to be there when they draft: Virgina's Justin Anderson and Stanford's Anthony Brown. Anderson can guard both forward and wings with potential to be very disruptive due to his size and athletic ability, but has only one season of shooting at a high level and inconsistent mechanics. Brown doesn't have as much defensive upside or versatility as Anderson, but he is solid all around on that end and can really shoot the ball. Anderson is younger and has a higher upside, and I believe in the Spurs ability to get the most out of players. The most out of Anderson is greater than the most out of Brown. Utah guard Delon Wright wouldn't be a Green replacement but he is a Spurs-type player that defends at a high level, rebounds, and can create off the dribble. If, and it is a big if, UNLV's Christian Wood unexpectedly falls, I wouldn't be surprised to see San Antonio take him as a potential Duncan replacement down the road.

Mock Draft 

26. Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia

55. Guillermo Hernangomez, C, Sevilla

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San Antonio Spurs Draft Review

30. Kyle Anderson, PF UCLA So. (6-9, 230)
Before the draft, it was obvious that Kyle Anderson's unique skillset would require the correct coach and team structure to succeed. Well he couldn't have landed in a better spot. Anderson is a perfect fit in San Antonio and their free wheeling, ball moving system. He is legitimately a point guard in a power forward's body, with advanced ball handling skills and amazing court vision. His shooting has improved too, shooting 48% from 3 last season. He probably isn't that good of a shooter, but sitting 35-40% from 3 isn't out of the question. The questions about Anderson really revolve around his ability to defend, but San Antonio and Gregg Popovich are the best in the business at maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses. In all likelihood, Anderson will be the primary backup power forward and learn from Boris Diaw, who will be re-signed as the backup center. Anderson will be one of the most fun rookies to follow this season.

Projected Lineup
PG: Tony Parker/Patty Mills
SG: Danny Green/Manu Ginobili
SF: Kawhi Leonard/Marco Belinelli
PF: Tim Duncan/Kyle Anderson
C: Tiago Splitter

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Draft Review: San Antonio Spurs

First Round

Livio Jean-Charles, PF France (28)

This is such a typical Spurs pick, investing in a young, talented player who might take a little while to return on the investment, but could be more productive than any of the other players drafted around him. Livio Jean-Charles lit up the Hoop Summit and showed a skill-set that projects as a perfect role player forward. Jean-Charles is long, athletic, and a good rebounder who can also step out and hit a jumper. He needs to get stronger and more polished, but is also only 19 years old.

Second Round

Deshaun Thomas, SF Ohio State (58)

My head says that Deshaun Thomas isn't an NBA player, but my gut says that if anyone can turn him into one it is the Spurs. Thomas can certainly score, and do it from all over the floor, but his defense is just atrocious. It's not just that Thomas is undersized and not a great athlete, he just doesn't try at all on that end of the floor. The Spurs are great at hiding weaknesses but Thomas' defense may be too much.

Projected Rotation

PG: Tony Parker/Cory Joseph

SG: Danny Green/Gary Neal (RFA)

SF: Kawhi Leonard

PF: Tim Duncan/Matt Bonner

C: Tiago Splitter/Boris Diaw