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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2017 NBA Draft: Sleepers Outside the First Round

Every year there are players drafted outside the first round or signed as undrafted free agents become NBA rotation players and even stars. This draft will likely be no different. Here are some potential prospects that could fit the bill...
 
Grayson Allen, SG Duke (6-4, 195) Age: 21

It is sometimes difficult to remember that, despite the other drama surrounding him, Grayson Allen is still a pretty talented player. He is a good athlete and shooter, which is enough to make him interesting to NBA teams. Allen has grown as a playmaker, though not to a primary level and I don't buy that at the NBA level he will draw BS fouls with the flailing and flopping he specializes in, though he is fearless, which goes a long way. He has the tools to be an okay defender, but hasn't really put it all together on that end yet. Allen has been a mess in a lot of ways this season, but there is still a pretty intruiging package, for a second round pick, beneath all the noise.

Dwayne Bacon, SF Florida State (6-7, 210) Age: 21 
As a Freshman, Bacon was a good college player, but a questionable NBA prospect, mostly due to his inconsistent jumper. However, this season Bacon has improved his jumper, shooting .281% on threes compared to last years .343%. Due to his size, body, and athleticism, Bacon was already on NBA radars, not a little bit because competent wings are such a rare and valuable commodity. Bacon's jumper is crucial because it sets up his slashing game, where he has made the most consistent hay as a scorer. Defensively, Bacon has the tools to be above-average and maybe play a little bit of small-ball 4, think Jae Crowder-esque upside if the jumper continues to come along.

Jordan Bell, PF/C (6-7, 190) Age: 22
2016-17 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Bell is a modern NBA defensive player, equally comfortable defending on the perimeter and protecting the rim (2.2 bpg for his career). That defense alone should give him a shot in the NBA (especially if his 2016 Nike Basketball Academy measurements of 6-8.5, 227 are accurate.) Offensively, Bell is a really good finisher and has shown he has the ball-handling and passing acumen to not be a negative when he gets the ball. Where he has really shown promise is as a shooter; Bell hasn't stretched it out to three yet but he shot a very good .455% on two-point jumpers and .724% from the free throw line. Obviously, he'll never be a force on that end but the question is whether he can be good enough to let his defense play. 

Jaron Blossomgame, SF/PF (6-7, 215) Age: 23
Blossomgame was projected as borderline first-round pick last year but he decided to return to school and this year he is... a borderline first round pick. Given how his jump shooting has regressed (.441% from three to .255%), it is a testament to Blossomgame's overall game that he has remained pretty steady as a prospect. Blossomgame is a super athlete with a tough off-the-bounce game and excellent finishing skills. His path to the NBA may be at the power forward position, where he will have a quickness advantage but also has the rebounding and shot-blocking skills to do some of the big man things as well.

Dillon Brooks, SF/PF (6-5, 205) Age: 21
Bell's teammate, Dillon Brooks has been one of the best players in the Pac-12 for the last two seasons. There is no question he is a good scorer who can be efficient from everywhere on the floor, the question is whether he has the size and length to work as a combo forward in the NBA the same what he does in college. Even if measures out at 6-7, Brooks appears to have quite average length, nor is he notably explosive, therefore the margin for error will be quite low at the next level.

Bryant Crawford, PG Wake Forest (6-3, 190) Age: 20
While teammate John Collins has gotten all the hype and first round talk, his running mate at Wake Forest, Bryant Crawford, has been just as good this year. Crawford has excellent size and length for a point guard. A smart player and a pesky defender, Crawford provides the kind of versatile overall package of scoring, shooting, distributing, defending that you want in a backup guard with enough upside to dream on due to his age and physical gifts.

Jawun Evans, PG Oklahoma State (6-0, 175) Age: 20
Evans is an uptemp, transition, and pick-and-roll maestro with tremendous ball-handling ability, vision, intelligence, passing, and unselfish style; he also really shoots the ball well, a career .407 from three. The problem is that Evans is small, just around six-feet tall, and this shows up in his .504% shooting at the rim this season, though he does have a good wingspan for his size. Of course, being small isn't a death sentence, it just narrows the percentages chance of success considerably, however Evans has the skills you want in a small guard and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him make it in the NBA.   

Devin Robinson, SF/PF Florida (6-8, 178) Age: 22

Though just a Junior, Devin Robinson seems like he has been on NBA draft radars forever. It is easy to see why, Robinson is bouncy, has good size and length for a combo forward and has become an above-average three-point shooter in the last two seasons. The question is where does he play, Robinson is skinny and lacking the bulk to be a full-time power forward, yet is perhaps not skilled enough to be wing full-time. The answer will probably be bouncing between the positions depending on matchup. That isn't a huge problem, but it puts a cap on his upside.

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Hoop-math.com draftexpress.com & sports-reference.com/cbb/ are all feature invaluable information used in this post.