Here's the article: https://www.spurstalk.com/spurs-big-board-3-2024-nba-draft/
Obviously the Spurs took Castle so it's notable that they refused to talk about one of their top targets (even after hyping up Devin Carter from the same workout with Castle). They've been interested in Risacher for a while considering RC Buford and Peter Holt both scouted him in person. Sheppard is undersized but based on intangibles/personality and the need for shooting I can see it, and some sources were certain Sheppard wouldn't drop past the Spurs.
That leaves Knecht. Draft Insider Woo from ESPN did mention the Spurs were one team with "strong interest" in him a few weeks ago.(https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1daazxn/givony_updated_big_board_with_intel/)
Jeff McDonald from Express-News also has this pre-draft quote from Brian Wright where he said: “We broke the (franchise) record for (total) 3-pointers, but then percentage-wise we’re towards the bottom end of the league, right? So I think you obviously want to add shooting.” so a shooter was clearly an identified need. Listing the two targets for this as Sheppard and Knecht in the same article is probably not a coincidence. (https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/nba-draft-preview-picks-19539233.php)
Knecht at 8 would explain why Spurs were willing to trade out. They might like him but weren't thrilled to take him so high considering his age and defensive flaws. I bet they were trying to trade down and maybe get him for better pick value but nothing worked out until the Timberwolves called.
by rawsharks
10 Comments
All I know is I heard from several places and sources (of carrying validity) that San Antonio loved knetch. So I wouldn’t be surprised at all
Thank God for the trade then
They didn’t want to pay the extra $10M it took to take him at 8 instead of where he went at 17
Passed on him for $10M over two years
Not good that a team with the lowest payroll in the league, with the worst shooters, passed on a shooter to save payroll.
That does not scream “we want to win”
Really wish we took him hut it is what it is
I was thinking it was Carter, but this is good analysis. We’re thinking the Spurs saying zilcho on a subject is sign of deep interest, lol. It’s what we’ve got.
I get passing. Knecht is a tremendous scorer and I like him a lot, but that’s all he does. I watched him a good bit. His defense wasn’t quite as bad as some said, but he’s not a great passer or facilitator, and the team seems to be prioritizing multi-use guys. Like, it’s great to get Knecht, but it’s easy to see an issue when players start coming in that fit their vision better. He’s a high-usage scorer who may not adjust well to a reduced scope.
Good glimpse into what their thinking is right now. I wonder who advocated for other players and what they came to. I really don’t believe in most anyone available at that spot in this draft and 100% believe they took far and away the best player.
It was the right pick for the lakers they have negative player development we acrually develop guys
It’s my understanding that Salaun was their guy, and according to Game Theory teams knew that if they wanted to get him they’d need to jump the Spurs at 8.
Could have been a smoke screen though.
Then I’m even more glad we traded it.
Another way of looking at it:
At no point in Dalton Knecht’s likely career, and let’s hope he’ll do well for his own sake, would a team be able to get an unprotected FRP and an unprotected swap for him.
I would have loved Knecht. It makes sense the spurs obviously need more shooting.
But I am keenly aware I am not a scout, and I don’t have the intel that they have. They obviously weren’t stoked on something. It’s not like they got an offer they couldn’t refuse…but it was an offer they wanted.
It also tips there hand a bit. Something else is cooking. I think they want to bring in a vet presence and that cap space was more valuable to them then adding another rookie. They also have a ton of picks coming forward there is also a knecht type player in the draft.
Also the draft doesn’t end on draft night. Maybe the lakers go oh fuck we need more cap space. The spurs figure this out and say hey we will give X for knecht. Stuff like this happens all the time.