React: San Antonio Spurs’ Draft Lottery luck strikes again

React: San Antonio Spurs’ Draft Lottery luck strikes again

NBA lottery got some out on the Spurs once again. You are Locked on Spurs, your daily San Antonio Spurs podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Welcome back to Locked On Spurs on the Lock NBA network. I’m your host, Jeff Garcia, sports rer for Kens San Antonio. Glad to have y’all back. I bet y’all are very happy right now, by the way. More on that in a bit. But as always, we thank you’all for making lockdown spirits your first listen every single day. Free and available wherever we get podcast, iTunes, Spotify, Ken 5 plus app, YouTube. You know where to go. Go subscribe right now. You want to do that ASAP. Today’s episode is brought to you by Fan Deal. Right now, new customers can get $200 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet win. Make sure to do that right now. Gee, I wonder what we’re going to be talking about right now on this episode of Locked On Spurs. Yeah, the basketball lottery guys, the NBA guys, whatever it is, lady luck, they smiled on the Spurs once again. Projected to get 8 and4. Yeah, how about two and 14. Yes, Spurs lipped all the way up to the second pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Those ping pong balls were kind to San Antonio. They will be picking number two in just a few short months. We’re going to be discussing our reaction to that. Uh, what should the Spurs do now moving forward? Should they trade the pick? Yeah. Yeah. What about trading number two? That’s on the table. And what about 14? You know, is that kind of like whatever now or could that be useful uh in the Spurs rebuild? Let’s just say that rebuild. Yeah, I bet that tunnel is looking a lot brighter now, right? A lot brighter. We’ll see what our panel, yes, I said panel, have to say on Lockdown Spurs. We’re going to be joined by a pair of familiar faces here on Lockdown Spurs. Casey Vieira, my good friend, also another good friend of mine, Matt Guzman with Spurs on Sports Illustrated. You know what? Let’s just jump right to it, right? Let’s bring the guys on. Let’s go to bring in Casey Vieira. Where’s Mr. Casey? Follow him on X at Casey Vieiraa, who was probably jumping up and down in his apartment, home should say, but the Spurs landed at number two. Casey, welcome back and thanks again for joining us. That was something, man. and and and and in case you were in case you were wondering, I was um in the backyard with my wife and son watching on my phone because he was uh too busy um throwing his plastic golf clubs around. So, I didn’t get to watch it of, you know, Yeah. on my on my couch. I had to watch it on my phone on YouTube TV. And sentiment remains the same, though. Wow. Wow. Yeah. I think I think I Yeah. Yeah. I think I tweeted right when it went to the the last four. I was like, it’s going to happen again, isn’t it? Well, it didn’t happen happen. It’s still you’ll take number two. So exciting. Yeah. Oh, no. Not number two in this draft, right, Casey? No. Oh, no. Not bad, you know. Uh, but yeah, the Spurs are definitely going to get themselves a you solid player at number two. We’ll kind of throw some names out there in a while. Once again, make sure to follow him on X at Casecore Vieiera. Do that right now. bring our other uh panelist Matt Guzman with Spurs on Sports Illustrated. Make sure to follow him on X and Matt G or Matt GZ Zman. Make sure to do that. Rocket is always Missou hat. Although that may change now, Matt, to a Spurs get number two pick. Is that what you’re going to have your new cap say now? Yeah, I already have it, you know, in the works. It’s printing. It’s delivering soon. So, I I called my shot. Matt, uh what a night, huh? I mean, just when you can’t think luck can be on the Spurs side anymore, then that happened. your reaction? Yeah. No, I have to be honest. I sat down thinking they were going to get, you know, maybe six, five to six, maybe even four if they’re lucky, then they go up to the top four, and I’m like, “Okay, well, it’s going to be four.” And then then, okay, it’s going to be three. And and then they had me thinking for a second that it might happen again. But, um, no, like like Casey was saying, you know, number two in this draft is is no ordinary consolation prize. I think there’s a lot of solid players to choose from to to do your work on and then and kind of study. So, I’m curious to see what they end up doing. But definitely a great day for uh for Spurs fans. I I saw a lot of them. Very excited. Yeah. Yeah. This is like a one of those moments like where were you when you know like when Wimby that it was where were you when Wimby every was at the root pub apparently and in that viral moment you know Casey will always remember he was cutting grass. Cutting grass when it happened. Oh no. I I was at well well for I was at the ru when when happened. No no I’m talking about for the the castle I mean sorry for number two pick in this upcoming draft. Oh yeah. I mean, I was in my I was in my backyard. I was in my backyard for that. But nah, no. I I was Shout out to the root pub, man. That was a fun night. Yeah. It was Yeah. Yeah. I I was away uh doing some personal uh stuff I had going, so I didn’t really get to watch the lottery happen, but uh when I had a moment to check my phone uh during some I take care of several just blowing up, you know, people uh what just happened? Oh my OMG missed calls. you know, Rudy CPO’s called, Mikey Man is called, you know, I’m getting text, right? Like, can you believe it? I’m like, whoa, whoa, what? And I look and I go to the website. I like, oh my god, they got number two. So, uh, yeah. Yeah. What a night for the Spurs. But, you know, now we got to look at the bigger picture. So, so we’re kind of like, now what? What are we going to do with this now? By the way, everybody, they didn’t get number 14. We’ll talk about that in a while. But, let me start with you, Casey, here. Number two, that’s a nice asset the Spurs have to play with. Now, they could draft a guy like Dylan Harper, who seems to be the consensus pick at number two, or they can deal uh that pick away and maybe bring in a Giannis with that entice Milwaukee with that if they want to go that route. Casey, when you ask the question, now what? How do you answer that? Now, what? And I answer that by saying, I don’t know, but yeah, it’s all all good things. All all good things to come with it. And uh one of one of the perks of what the hand that they’ve that that they they’ve been dealt and and you you saw them kind of allude to it a few years ago or I should say this time last year when they drafted Castle and everyone got on them for the Rob Dillingham trade and uh just continuing to acrew those picks and while this one was their own, you know, part of the reason they continued to acrew them and get all that is just get continued cracks at it to see where the ball bounces literally and figuratively. And this time it, you know, again, it of course worked out for him. It just it continues to be an immense amount of luck. But I I think another thing too what we’ve seen with this roster construction is just the element of of versatility and as a result of what they have, it opens up a lot of different avenues and windows of opportunity to improve this team in different ways just because the positional versatility and diversity that they have on the team. And the good thing with them is whe with the way this draft is laid out is that there’s a lot of players who kind of fit into that conversation whether it be um you know whether it be Harper, whether it be Ace Bailey, Trey Johnson. It seems like you just put the guy on the floor and he’s going to shoot and works out. It works out more often than not. But yeah, and then of course the conversation of whether the these guys are even involved and if they keep it. Needless to say, at the end of the day, all good things for the Spurs, for sure. Matt, you know, before we hit the record button, you’re like, you know what? Yeah, that’s great that Spurs got the number two pick, but let’s start let’s talk turkey. Let’s start kneeling and dealing. You’re kind of the opinion that, hey, you know, this is a great asset. Let’s flip it. Let’s try to go that route to speed up this rebuild. You want to elaborate on that? Sure. Yeah, absolutely. I think going into the lottery, you know, the disc this course is already kind of starting to roll. You’re hearing all these rumors about Kevin Durant, Jiannisani Dmpo, you know, where do they want to play? Will the Spurs be able to get in those conversations and it’s clear that they will, you know, even before we knew the order, they had two lottery picks to play with. They have plenty of youth, but you know, now that you know the numbers, obviously 14, you know, isn’t nothing, but you know, you got number two and so, you know, it kind of feels a little more real. It feels like that’s something you could genuinely dangle in front of some teams, especially teams like these stars that we’re seeing. Um, the names come from, you know, when they’re kind of struggling with their situation. You know, these are great stars, but they don’t have roster flexibility. They need a way out and they need youth. They need draft capital. And I think the Spurs, well, know the Spurs obviously have all of those chips. Um, so you know, I think it’s definitely with very well within the realm of reality, um, or possibility, I should say, for them to kind of take a look at that and see what kind of packages they could put together, who they’re willing to part with, who they want to keep around. Um, but, you know, that having that number two pick overall is, you know, you’re giving a team a chance at its pick of the litter, you know, behind Cooper Flack. And, you know, there’s there’s a guy like Dylan Harper who I think a lot of teams would definitely like to have on their roster. So, definitely something to consider. Casey, is this a situation for the Spurs where now with this number two and 14 pick that they can match any price point for any team looking to deal a superstar like Giannis, like KD, I mean this is this is something this is real now. They could be hey what I’m making this up everybody. Milwaukee uh J something is not happy there. How does a number two pick sound to you and maybe a couple other players that we got on the roster right now that are pretty pretty good that we can flip? I I think that makes San Antonio a prime team that other teams may want to deal with. Your thoughts, Casey? Well, that’s the other thing, too. I mean, the Giannis is of course the the big prize, but there is a lot of versatility. Um, you there’s a there’s a lot of other avenues that have have been open now because of that. It’s a game changer. The things changed entirely tonight for for the trajectory of this franchise. I think the only thing that gets in the way is whether or not Milwaukee values what the Spurs have uh comparatively speaking to some whether they’re putting the same amount of stock in it that maybe the Spurs are putting into it right now. Do they value Stefon Castle more than they do Cooper Flag? Like if if this if this turns into the Mavericks reaching out and flipping this to try to get Giannis, okay, I mean, there’s nothing you can really do if you’re on the Spurs side of things. You got a good package. You know, we got the number two pick. We have the reigning rookie of the year. We got picks and picks and picks to offer you, but if Milwaukee is still enamored with Cooper Flag at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. And Giannis is on the and Giannis is going to Dallas. But still at the same time you in the same lens you know there there are different avenues now that open because of that number two pick and hey even if they keep it they’re going to get going to get a good player they’re going to get allstar caliber player at that point and I know everyone wants and I’m guilty of it myself everyone wants them to just expedite the process it’s there they see they want to get on the offramp to relevancy and title contention and they want to skip skip the steps I Like I said, I mean, I’m I’m all for skipping the steps and just get back into the title picture, but if it’s not there is the better alternative just standing pat with what you got because now what you got is pretty good. Now what you got is beyond pretty good. Really good. Really exactly. Exactly. And you can’t even ignore too that the kind of package that the Spurs can put together. They could be a very competitive team uh for you know other teams that are putting in their bid for said player insert name wherever you want there. How about a nice Telden Johnson and his his contract right now? Pretty good. Throw in a couple draft picks, you know, whatnot. Spurs can be definitely major players in any type of trade scenario. But we’re not done talking about the Spurs uh getting the number two and 14 pick. We’re going to be looking at that 14 pick later on as well. How about Dallas, man? They they want it all. Good on them. More of that in a bit uh right here on Lockdown Spurs roundt edition joined by Casey Vieiraa and Spurs on Sports Illustrated Matt Guzman. But first, I want to talk to you about hungry root. Everyone in my house always has something going on. I call this busy season. I don’t have a lot of free time to go grocery shopping or cook healthy meals at home. That’s why I use Hungry Root. 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That’s bonarcharkmoney.com code lock on MBA for half off your first year. Oh hey, this is Morty Smith and Auties. You are listening to Lockdown Spurs with Jeff Garcia on Cheese. And we’re back right here on Lockdown Spurs joined by Casey Vier. You see him on your screen right there. Make sure to follow him on X at Casec_vie. Also Matt Guzman Spurs on Sports Illustrated. Make sure to follow him on X at MattGzn. You know guys, we’re kind of asking the question now. So now what? Now what? There’s so many possibilities, so many avenues the Spurs can do. But Matt, I want to follow up on your thought about flipping that pick, that number two pick. If they do that, or maybe I should rephrase it like this. Is it time to skip steps? Is it time? Is it time to just say, you know what, bleep it? Let’s just do this. Let’s get Wimby. Let’s get this young Spurs team out of this rebuild. Enough of this. We’re going to wait and develop. Now, is this the time to strike? Matt, your thoughts? I think I think the simplest answer I can give is is yes. Um, and I think that, you know, it’s very against what the Spurs have been doing to this point. Obviously, it was almost a little bit of a of a skipping steps when they went and got Darren Fox. They’re not known to make those big-time player acquisitions, especially mid-season. But, you know, when you do that, you accelerate that a little bit. you’re expecting Vicyama to come back healthy and in the best shape that he’s been in in the three years that he’s now been in the NBA or I guess going into his third year. Um, but when you have a player like Jiannis Kmpo or or Kevin Durant, you know, it’s not every offseason that you can say you have a player of that caliber that you’re looking to get or that you have a chance of making a run at. And I think, you know, I wouldn’t say skip steps, you know, just to get another big name. But I think if you’re talking about somebody like Giannis, you know, that’s somebody that you can shell out for, especially with, you know, he’s got several more years of his prime in the league, you know, he’s he’s willing to work with other players. He’s a great defensive anchor. You know, pairing him with Victor, pairing him with Dearron Fox, you know, that is a very very exciting prospect. And I think when you have somebody like him waiting or or or seemingly unhappy or, you know, Milwaukee situation just it hasn’t worked for it too well. I think it’s something that you consider. And I think I would say yes. If you have somebody like that and you can go get him, I don’t see any harm in in going to get him. Yeah. Steps to be damned. I say yeah, you go for it, man. Because what we’re going like a six, sevenyear drought and not playing, no playoffs. There’s no fiesta time in playoffs anymore. It’s been a while. It’s been a minute. Casey, you want want to hear you want to hear a fun fact? And maybe I shouldn’t say maybe. You know what? No. Say it. Say it. Say it. We can edit it out. Don’t worry about it. Yeah, that’s true. You can edit it out. But now that now that now that I want the now that I broke the ice here, you’re gonna This is See what Casey does to us there. Casey So I moved to I I started working in San Antonio uh uh in San Antonio May 2019. It was I started right after the Denver series after they got knocked out. Spurs haven’t made the playoffs since I lived in San Antonio. Wow. Wow. Yeah. You missed all that. I get the feeling that’s probably going to change next year, but Yeah. I think so. I already believe so. Casey though, you know, this this number two pick, I mean, my goodness. I I mean, again, you know, how much luck can this first team get? I mean, my goodness. Um, they’re set. They’re set really well moving forward post Papovic era, Mitch Johnson era. They are good to go. Is San Antonio now, no matter what they do with that pick, keep it, flip it for a power player. Uh, what, you know, either way, they’re going to get something good. Whether that’s a good young kid in the draft or they flip it and go for broke and bringing in an established star. Is San Antonio now the destination to come to? Remember that whole thing? Oh, who wants to go to San Antonio? No free agents want to go to San Antonio. I wonder if Chris Paul’s thinking about where he wants to go next season. Oh yeah, I’m fine. Can’t hang on the bench now. I’m good. Yay. You know, we’re good to go. How much is this pick? This close to winning it all. Number two pick ain’t bad. now makes San Antonio the destination a destination team I should say. It’s as good as any. Yeah, it it’s it’s it’s just it’s as good as any. I mean, you put on a short list, there’s the big market narrative, of course, that’s always going to be there. I mean, it’s it’s just as good as what the Knicks in terms of setting the the Knicks can’t offer the deal that the Spurs can, but I’m saying, you know, uh the the teams itself situations contention, you know, you know, the Knicks would be just as good as anyone else. Oklahoma City, same deal. Like they they they’re going to have a competitive package should they choose. And that’s just as much the Spurs just as much have as much to present on the other side of that they do because they have a a relevant team, a team that’s going to be in the playoff contention. They have what’ll likely be a top five to seven player next season. You know, knock on wood, health assuming. And paired that with Giannis, who’s a top 30 player all time. I mean, it’s as good a situation as any. I I I don’t know. whether or not that’s the one the move that happens of course whe whether whether he likes San Antonio because if there’s anything we’ve kind of learned up to this point is like Giannis appears to be very maybe not vague but like open-minded and well the news that we got yesterday about him I think almost the word was the phrase was open-minded itself which openminded yeah openminded itself he now Giannis has a a pretty good poker face it seems like to what he wants beyond beyond that. So, could it be San Antonio? It’s a destination for sure. Just as good as any, without a doubt. And credit to the Spurs. You know, listen, we we went on again, I’ll be I’ll be guilty of it. Like, I I’ll I’ll admit that I’m wrong. You know, we I went on here. I’m like, why when are we going to hit the, you know, hit the gas on this process, guys? You know, there’s picks there, there’s players there, there’s moves, and and they did it. To their credit, Brian Wright did it. pulled the trigger. Got Fox here and now all those assets they’re in a immaculate situation. Honestly, a generational situation that they’re in right now. A generational when you when you look at it just as cut and dry for what it is. This is really a generational opportunity that could be at their hands right now. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, they are on the I mean, I think they with this pick, this number two pick, they are right there exiting out of the rebuild as soon as next season. as soon as next season. Uh Matt though, you know, you’re hearing the names out there and the one big name right now is Dylan Harper. All Spurs are likely to get Dylan Harper. He’s Is this situation though where if they were to draft a Dylan Harper, that’s another guard, another guard on the roster. That would be Harper, Castle, Fox, uh as of now, you know, Blake Wesley, who knows what he does with him. Uh there’s a bevy of guards. Do you think is this a situation where they got to have draft him because he may be the best player available? Are you still How do you feel about that? Just with the potential of bringing on another young guard. Sure. No, that’s my biggest worry. You know, that’s no discredit to Dylan Harper. I know that he’s going to be, you know, I have no doubts he’s going to be a very strong contributor to wherever he ends up next season, but you I think the Spurs, that’s just not what they need, you know. So, I’ve seen a lot of things, you know, maybe they maybe they draft down or they trade down to kind of, you know, get something in return and get a guy that, you know, they don’t feel bad using number two on, you know, with Dylan Harper still on the market because if somebody wants Dylan Harper, let them have Dylan Harper. That’s my opinion. I think that, you know, the Spurs, like you mentioned, they have Stefon Castle, who they’ve been training to become the next point guard under Chris Paul a year, and then you bring in Darren Fox. And so now you kind of got that onetwo punch of guards, you know, with Castle being a combo guard himself. Plus, you have Blake Wesley if he stays. You know, they they can also sign somebody else over the offices. They still have Juan Nunes waiting in Spain. You know, they’re they have no shortage of guards and I think, you know, Dylan Harper’s going to be a great player and I think that he can absolutely contribute wherever he goes. But I think the Spurs have other options. I think they’re in need of some wing depth. They’re in in need of a big man. you know, there are several options that I wouldn’t feel bad about taking if you, you know, draft down or or if you take him at number two, you know, to to guarantee you get the guy you want. Yeah. Can I can I gohead? Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah, of course. Yeah. I I was going to say, are we so sure that the Spurs stay at two? Because I’m looking the the order right now. Dallas, San Antonio, Philly, Charlotte, Utah at five. And Utah still has a bunch of first round picks. Yep. Going back going back for the the Donovan Mitchell and then the Go Bear. They still have a bunch. So, is there a world where Utah trades up to two given the Spurs pick number five and then more capital? Is that enough perhaps to maybe trade their way to send all that to I know there’s a lot of moving parts, but is that enough to satisfy what Milwaukee would want? Like capital that Utah sends their way plus big five. Is do they put enough stock in getting like Trey Johnson or Bailey or something like that or are they kind of like enamored with Harper at two? You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. I I I think right after that I go, “Yeah, I I think something like that could entice Milwaukee.” But I don’t know, depending on where they at. Let’s just say, do they really want to have a rebuild? I mean, if if Yiannis leaves, I guess you got no choice if you have no choice. Yeah. Exit. Yeah. But if you’re going to start a rebuild, do you rather go in with one or two picks or a bevy of picks plus other stuff you’re going to get? I don’t think they’re going to do what Dallas did and just open the market to one team like the Lakers with the whole Luca thing. This is going to be an allout bidding war if they go out there. So, Utah will definitely be up there. Spurs will be up there. Can’t forget about Houston. I mean, I guess Houston’s still a player in all this. They got 10. Yeah, they got they got Well, they got other picks, too. And then Oh, yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah. So, they will be a player as well. They’re just so much. Um, there’s gonna be a if they open up the market to Giannis, it’s going to be a competitive bidding war, which makes me fear that, man, I could see a world where Castle couldn’t be involved in some sort of deal with Yiannis. I think, yeah, if you’re Milwaukee, you go, you got to put Castle in here. You got to do it. And especially if they go with D. If they go with Dylan Harper, if they get him, you know, I just see a world where that happening. Matt, I’ll let you hit on that point because I interrupted last time. No, you’re good. I I think u there’s not a world where I would ever say, “Yeah, let’s send Stefon Castle somewhere else or, you know, put him in a deal.” But, you know, that is a very viable option. You know, if if Milwaukee is smart, you know, because we’re mentioning like Milwaukee doesn’t have the leverage. Well, they have Giannis, but you know, they’re kind of they’re in a really tough situation because if Giannis wants to leave, they have to let him go somewhere and they have to get as much as they can in return. So, the Spurs are going to be engaged in a bidding war if they want Giannis. And Milwaukee is likely going to demand Stefon Castle because they’ll get another strong young piece from another team in the same, you know, the same war. But, you know, it is a viable option if the Spurs move on from Castle just to get Giannis. they have a guy waiting for them like Dylan Harper who’s now, you know, that incoming young talented guard with a very high ceiling. And I think it’s something that will probably be looked at. You know, I’m not going to speak for what they’re going to do, but it’s definitely a viable option. Yeah, Casey. And I think uh the the good thing that they’re at right now with the Spurs offer is that they have various different ways to approach Milwaukee with this. They have offer. It’s not just cut blank, you know, here’s the offer we got. That’s it. It’s like, no, okay, we got offer A. You don’t want A, you want B, you want C, you want D. You tell us. You tell us. Do you value Castle more than you do Harper? Okay, we’ll take Castle. You like Harper more than you do Castle. Harper’s yours. You got it. And that’s the luxury of the spot that they’re in right now. And and I I I think I I think they like Castle and understandably so. Why would you not? But you like Giannis Antto Kmpo a whole lot more. Oh yeah. I think Castle is going to be an all-star caliber player in this league. Yeah. I don’t know if if if Stefon Castle is going to be a top three player in this league. I don’t you know Yeah. I know Giannis is cuz he is. Yeah. Is right now. Yeah. So it’s a it’s it’s a tough it’s a gift and a curse because you know you you it’s just like any other trait. You got a gift to get. But the Spurs do have options to present it to Milwaukee. Yeah. Unlike other Spurs fans out there that think it’s NBA 2K and hey Milwaukee, how’d you like a Blake Wesley Malachi Brown and a bombing? You know that that’s not how it works, buddy. I’ve been seeing those on Twitter and two first. That’s that’s all they’re going to give. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. It haunts 27 and we’ll call it a deal. But but you know, okay, let’s let’s take a pause for right when we get back. We’ll still talk about the Spurs getting number two, what they should do. Uh, also don’t forget they got a 14. We’ll ask that question as well, and then yeah, just more reaction to the Spurs getting a number two pick in the NBA draft lottery. So, yeah, future is looking very, very bright in San Antonio. But first, I want to talk to you about FanDuel. The NBA playoffs are in full swing and every night delivers highlight worthy performances, major momentum shifts, and can’t miss moments. 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As the new leader of the Decepticons, I command you to subscribe to locked on Spurs with Jeff Garcia. And we’re back right here on Locked on Spurs round table edition joined by Casey Vieira. Follow him on Xi CC Vieira. Matt Guzman with Spurs on Sports Illustrated. He is on X as well at Matt GZm. Make sure you give them a follow right now. You know, we’re talking about Spurs number two pick 14 overall. By the way, shout out Dallas. I mean, talk about a a team, a franchise after the whole Luca debacle. I mean, I I thought they were going to storm the arena out there in Dallas. They were brick to brick. Holy smokes. But man, you know, and here’s the thing, Matt. They had what, like a 1.6 chance to win it all, and they won it all. That’s incredible. So, the matter of fact, they were not even in the running, you know. They’re not I mean, my goodness. I mean, Dallas, they won it. So, kudos to them and Matt. Uh, yeah. So, luck was on their side, huh? It definitely was. And I think the coolest stat that I saw was the first time since 2008 when the Bulls got Derrick Rose that they uh the number 11 dumped all the way up to number one. So, it makes you wonder. Makes you wonder a little bit. It makes you wonder. Yeah. But we’re not going to go that down that rabbit hole on this episode of Lockdown Spurs. Uh, but nevertheless, Yeah. So, uh, I guess you know that fan base definitely needed some sort of ingestion of life after the whole Donics trade, but we’ll see what they do with that number one pick. Yeah, you know, like we guess we know who they’ll pick. There’s no question who they will pick. But, uh, Casey, we’re forgetting the Spurs got a number 14 pick. You know, it’s sitting there on the table, too. That’s some value there. Is that a pick that you think the Spurs would probably play with more? You know, it looks like that’s a value pick there that could they can beef up packages. Uh maybe trade up, trade down with it. Uh how do you see the Spurs playing with 14? Pretty much that. Okay. Just a little extra something to throw in there if you can just to try to give you one more slight advantage because it it it’s not I don’t want to say it’s a lot it’s a lottery pick. It it is a lottery pick, but it’s not the value pick of of a lot of the other things that you see that you’re going to be seeing uh in this draft through the first seven to 10. you and I talk about it all the time was that you know a after after you get outside those first few of the lottery it’s it’s a crapshoot anyways so I would not be surprised if this ends up as another one of the Dillingham picks to refer back to it I could see Brian Wright pointing to 20 40 however far back I I don’t what what was Dylan the Dillah pick that was 2031 yeah 2031 yeah 2031 yeah so I could see a situ situation where it ends up something like that. Just a slight enticing, but I I don’t think it’s going to be a deal breaker one way or another for a lot of these guys. And I mean, hey, but you know, listen, say say they do use it, though, because there are there are spots on this roster that going to be filled in some capacity because there’s bodies that are that are going to be on the move. So, who knows? We’ll see. But I don’t see it being a big time value asset. Maybe they explore it, but Gut Gut says that they’re not going to be they’re not going to be keeping it. No. Yeah, I’m right there with you. I think they will do another Rob Dillingham deal, you know, with number 14 uh moving forward. We’ll definitely see what they do. Uh you know, Matt, you know, a number two pick, you know, whoever they draft with his Harper, Edgeville, whoever, that’s a guy that’s a not going to be in the Austin Spurs, that’s for sure. be likely to be an immediate contributor, but dare we say impact player, where do you land on that spectrum? Do you think whoever they if they keep number two and use it and pick a player? Is that are we going to be looking at an impact player or just a nice contributor? I think we could be looking at an impact player if they play their cards right. And I think the way people are talking about Dylan Harper and and the ceiling that he has, you know, it’s possible. But, you know, when you look at a guy like Ace Bailey, who’s maybe not the consensus number two, but he’s a three, he’s a four, you know, he he gives you that wing depth. And I think the Spurs have been lacking in that significantly for quite a while. And so, you know, especially if they go for somebody who really feels a gap that they have on their roster, you know, there’s no reason that he can’t log really significant minutes. And you know, maybe even if he starts, you know, off off the bench and he just gets a little bit of time, if he performs well and he turns out to be the player that they hope he can be, you know, he gets all he gets those those minutes and he turns into an impact player. I think that’s uh that’s definitely not out of the realm of possibility. Yeah, I’m right there with you. Uh Casey, uh you know, this is a team that’s just going to get richer now with another young player. Um, man, but as we talked about with Matt right now, whoever they draft, if let’s just pretend they keep it and they get a Harper or a Bailey or Edge, whoever, that’s a guy that’s going to need to burn. You can’t burn this. You can’t let this kid sit on the bench. He has to play. This is a has to play. Yeah. Good problem to have, bad problem. I just see, man, that that that’s gonna cause Mitch Johnson, assistant coaches to have some good headaches. Your thoughts? Yeah, it there again right now and it again I should probably bite my tongue a little bit but it feels like it feels like there’s the the unless they get Giannis the urgency to win and win big when I say win I mean be title contender is still not there. It’s still not it’s still not there. They have enough to be a relevant playoff team next year. But if they go to the playoffs next year and get bounced in the first round, I mean, sure. Yeah. Nine, nine, if they don’t have Giannis, that is nine people out of 10 here be like, “All right, we’re cool with that. We’re cool with that. We got B. We got bumped in the first round. Our first trip to the playoffs with Victor and our core is Fox, Castle, Victor, Bailey.” Yeah. Where they pick your pick. Yeah. A and I think that there is still kind of that mindset within the organization that I if they strike out on Giannis, which is very much very much possible, they’re the point I was making earlier. I think they’re okay with with where they’re at. And honestly, to be fair, I don’t really blame them this goound. It’s different than when they were telling us we’re good with what we have and they’re running out, you know, sorry Trey Jones, but you’re running out Trey Jones every every single night as a starting point guard. not not not a starting point guard in this league. But when you’re saying we’re good with what we have and your core is alongside Victor Dearren Fox, Stefon Castle, and Dylan Harper, there’s a lot more validity and credibility to that statement. I think people can be understandably more patient with that that hey, this might not be the year. Next year might not be the year, but we’re going to be good. Yeah. Yeah. And Giannis or not, it’s like Yah, it’s like we got Giannis or not, we got we got some ball players on this team. And I I I think that should be the prevailing sentiment uh for Spurs fans that even if the Giannis sweep stakes doesn’t go their way, there’s a lot to work with. There’s a lot to work with. There absolutely is. And you know, I know opinions differ on this, but I really believe if they were full power last season, they probably they probably get in that play in and not that. Well, especially the way the playin ended. Yeah. I mean, exactly. Yeah. I mean, those teams back Dallas and Sacramento, they backed into the play. Absolutely. Yeah. I think they would have been like that high seed in that playin uh tournament. I think they really really would have been and they would have been a team that some would have circled. That’s a team you got to be careful with. You know, if they stayed at full power, a full healthy Wimi Fox Castle and his rise in his early in the rookie season, they would have been a problem. All right, Matt, you have the Well, you know, maybe it’s a fun task for you right now. Who is on the Matt Guzman Spurs draft board? You’re you’re a Matt Guzman war room. You’re looking at that white board right now. Who you got for the Spurs picking number two? I think I’m going Ace Bailey. I I think I’m going Ace Bailey just because, you know, I I like I mentioned earlier, I think Dylan Harper’s a fine guy. I think he’s going to be great. But, you know, I think the Spurs would benefit more from having a wing than adding, you know, another strong sole guard. And I think, you know, that’s just something that that that’s just if I’m running the war room, that’s what I’m saying. I’m saying these are our team needs. This is where, you know, we can benefit the most. And I’m putting Ace Bailey over Dylan Harper. Macy, I’m not missing out on Giannis. Okay. I’m not I’m not I’m I’m putting my foot on the gas. I’m not missing out on Giannis. I I I think right now this opportunity is, like I said, it’s it’s generational right now. And even if it involves, you know, parting with Castle, even if it involves parting with with Harper, one of the two, I think they have enough that they can get away with probably having it be just one of the two. It’s going to be one of the two. Milwaukee in some capacity you’d assume would ask for both, but I I think the Spurs hit pause there. I I I don’t think they I don’t think they send both. Well, when you say both, you mean Castle and Okay. Okay. Yeah. Castle and the number two pick. I think I think that uh they would probably hit pause because that’s a lot. That’s a lot. And and you know, Giannis is fantastic, but is but it is a lot. I don’t think it even becomes a conversation. Oh man, I’m just listening the way I’m I’m saying this all right now. I’m just like, “No, take it. Take the pick. I’m good. Get Jannis Kmpo here in San Antonio next year because you’re never going to have this opportunity again. You’re just not you’re just not have this opportunity again.” And even even if they have to pay more, even if Giannis like doesn’t in particularly like San Antonio isn’t the the spot he’s sold on, like I don’t care. I’m going in. Yeah. Because that that core that core the three at minimum of Fox, Giannis, Wimby, you’re in the that’s a West title contender. Yeah. Yeah. In instant. Yeah. And also a message to the fan base to Wimi more importantly that need to win now. We’re ready to win right now. M U I’m with you Casey to a point and that is are the Spurs willing to do something they’ve really historically have never done and that’s get near breaking the bank because you’re going to start paying guys down the road. Yiannis’ contract is pretty hefty. So they’re going to have to eat that is gonna have to get paid. Uh we’ll just say for this argument maybe Castle got dealt so you have to worry about him. You got other guys in Vel if he’s still around. you know, you got Zohan. Uh, that that whole angle, the financial side of it. Do you think that I hope not, but that could put a pause in the Spurs to be like, uh, let’s think about this. Your thoughts paying Jeremy Sohan and Devin Bell’s contract and Kell Johnson’s, even though it’s a more friendly, that’s not getting in the way of them getting out. Yeah. All right. Because, well, for one, though, that’s probably the money that’s going to match to go out back to Milwaukee, right? But the other thing too, the other thing too, again, it this is, and I hate to to put it as simple as this, it’s like you’re very rarely in the history of the NBA has there been a top three player readily available to pair with another top 10 player on your team. It doesn’t It doesn’t happen. It It just doesn’t happen. Yeah. And I I you know, I like Castle. I like Harper, but you look at the path to relevancy where it is and winning big. That’s there. It’s there. The ramp is there. Just go in. Go for it. And if they don’t get it, then they don’t get it. And I think you’re feeling pretty good because the ball at the end of the day is not in the Spurs court. It’s it’s in Milwaukee. You know, the Spurs can have a have a pretty good have a pretty good hand to go out there with, but Milwaukee is the one who makes the decision at the end of the day. Mhm. You have to try to you have to go to the lengths to get it done. But if it fails and you don’t get them, you’re in a pretty good spot. You’re in you’re in a more more than you’re in a very good spot. That’s With that being said, um yeah, I’m trying to flip it. I I think you do that move. Uh you you’re in a good spot to make that move. I think the fan backlash would be minimal. Um you will have those if Castle be involved. That’s a tough pill to swallow, but you got to, you know, spend money to make money, and that’s how you have to do it. And to see Giannis, Wimi, and Fox and just taking Castle out of this equation because we’re pretending he’s going to get dealt. That’s I mean, who’s going to score on this team to begin with? Uh, you know, that length in the paint. I mean, my goodness. And you will not have that much drop off should one of the guys need to take a breather, Wimby or or Giannis. Also too, I I think this this this franchise needs to get back to his glory. And what better way to do that. Yeah. Than bringing in a guy who’s in his prime, everybody. He’s not just entering. He’s not exiting out. He’s in the thick of it. So, you’ll likely get some really solid years out of uh Giannis. And who knows, maybe you can flip Giannis, you know, again, if if need be, you know, for you know, uh you know, you want to say like a kind of a slight retooling later down the road. So, there’s that option. But if they do keep it, I mean, Dylan Harper is the obvious pick. Uh, you know, you go with him. A similar combo guard to Castle, but yeah, I mean, you go with best available and you just worry about the problems later. Um, but yeah, there you have it. But can we can we flash Castle? Could that be the last time we see him in his uniform, guys? Pouring out. Pouring out. Look at that. We’re already training castle and we’re not even there yet. Yeah. Yeah. That’s that’s why we’re not the GMs in that war room. I’m not pouring up for that one. I’m not I’m gonna be sad about that. Yeah, that that Hey, look. Feel a whole lot better if Yiannis Koopo was in here. You forget about Stefon Castle real fast. Yeah, man. When we’re sitting together on press row, first time Giannis throws a a transition lob to Victor Steph who Yeah, exactly. Yeah. and and Matt when we’re sitting together on press row. We’re not just griping and groaning anymore about losses. I mean, we’ve been you and I have been there. We’re just in there like dumb. So, uh that’ll definitely jump started. But again, everybody, it just sums up what we all know. The Spurs are in a phenomenal spot right now. They have so many avenues to explore. Keep the pick, trade the pick, move up. I’m sorry, move down, package it, go. I mean, they can do so much with these uh number two pick and 14. Can’t wait to see what they do. And uh we’ll cover that all here on Lockdown Spurs moving forward. Now we know we know where the Spurs are going to pick in the upcoming NBA draft. We’ll get into all player profiles, all that good stuff. More on the reaction to this on future episode of Locked on Spurs, but we got to get that ready. I mean, it’s exciting times for Spurs fans across the globe right now. And uh Casey, yeah, man, that lady luck man certainly smiles on San Antonio every lottery, right? You know, I I tell you what, okay, I I’m going to defend myself a little bit more because I said the Spurs haven’t made the playoffs since I’ve lived here. Yeah. Spurs have also at the same time since I’ve lived here, they’ve got Victor and they got the number two pick, which could potentially lead to bigger things. So, at the same time, before people come at me, maybe you should thank me. Ah, Casey, there you go. See, it’s the the reason like this is in San Antonio. Casey’s in San Antonio. Lose the battle, win the war. You’re Matt. See, Matt Matt’s just just trying to plate you. That’s all. He’s like, “Okay, Casey.” That That’s nice of you. I had I’m sold. Yeah. I’ll pour one out for that. That’s the one. That’s what I’ll do. You don’t want Mandy. Matt probably thinking like, “Well, don’t leave Casey. Stay in San Antonio. Stay in San your franchise, running your franchise. You don’t want me anywhere near it, man. I’m gonna treat that too much like 2K. Get the thing. Get the thing broke and [ __ ] to Vegas so fast. Casey sending Kellin in two furs for Giannis. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Don’t you don’t you love and this this doesn’t apply to Spurs fans. This this applies to all fans. How how when it comes to these trades, it’s always the guys you spend the fans spend about 85% of the season ripping. Like Sohan, like Sohan, oh yeah, Sohan, he’s trash. You know, he can’t shoot. You know, why is he playing a point guard? Vel, his shot selection is terrible. What a bum. Actually, we’re going to stop at Stefon Castle. You guys see Milwaukee. Take Vel and Sohan. All these guys ripped for 85% of the year. We’ll give you a couple picks, too. Yeah. Yeah. Because they’re going to love that. Yeah. Yeah. You’re going Jesus. Yeah. Right. So, if I didn’t spend the first four months of the year selling you on this product. Hey, but we’re done talking here. We got to hear from you. You know, there’s so much to digest. You know, obviously we missed a few things, but just so many things that Spurs can do with pick two and 14. Where were you when it happened? Hey, let us know. Uh, also, what do you think the Spurs should do with those uh, pair of picks? Keep them, trade them, flip them, whatever. You know, let us know. We got to hear from you, especially on the locked on Spurs YouTube page because we’ll read those comments in a future episode of Locked on Spurs. I’ll start off with you, Matt Guzman, Spurs on Sports Illustrated, following my next Matt GZ, man. What you got cooking for us? Well, I’m really just trying to digest it all myself. So hopefully a big piece about what they should do and what their avenues are and and I guess in in general like what this episode is about, why they’re in a great position in general. Yeah, I heard on your uh mock draft board you have Casey at number two pick out of San Antonio Hofra have hostra. Yeah, solid pick. Listen, you laugh without Hopster University Spurs would not have one of their championships. I know who you’re going to talk about. I know exactly what you’re going to do. I call myself San Antonio’s second greatest Hustra import after Speedy Claxton. So there you go. But have you ever told you ever told Matt about how people confuse you with Landry Fields? Not Not the time to be confused with Landry Fields right now. Yeah, we have Matt. Nice guy. I I like metric Matt Casey has a photo of Landry Fields and him together and I swear they were probably separated at birth minus like that’s crazy. I’m I’m I’m about 5’11. Sandre is probably you know with the exception of about the you know the the 6 to 7 in and the fact that he he’s a former professional basketball player except for that. Yeah, same family. Yeah, same family. Exactly. All right, Matt, thanks again for taking time out of your schedule for joining us here on this round table edition of Lockdown Spurs. Casey, as always, buddy, we thank you for taking time out of your schedule. Dad duty, guard duty, apparently on all that good stuff. Uh, everybody, make sure to follow Casey on X at Casecore and let him know what you think about his takes on this episode, man. He’s he he says flip it. He says flip number two. What do you think? All gas, no breaks. Hate that ghost. You know what? Let’s do it. Let’s do it. Let’s do it. Casey, again, thanks for hopping on Lockdown Spurs. And for everybody else, we thank y’all for being every day or is coming here every single day at Lockdown Spurs for every single information, tidbit, noteworthy news, whatever it is regarding your silver and black. We’ll be back tomorrow. I’m start do a little player profile as far as the Spurs roster. I think we’re going to be talking about Kellen Johnson. We’re going to be joined by Ro Dominguez. And then we’ll crank up the player profiles after that and talk about who the Spurs might pick at number two if they keep that pick. So stay tuned for that. So for Casey Vieiraa, Matt Guzman, I am Jeff Garcia. We’re going to put a lock in this episode of Lockdowns. First heat. Oh,

The San Antonio Spurs have landed the No. 2 and 14 picks in the NBA Draft Lottery, sparking excitement and speculation about their next move.

Could this be the key to transforming their roster and accelerating their rebuild? The Spurs ‘ future is brimming with possibilities, with potential draft picks like Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey on the radar and the tantalizing possibility of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Host Jeff Garcia, along with guests Casey Vieira and Spurs on Sports Illustrated’s Matt Guzman, explores these scenarios, weighing the impact of each decision on the Spurs’ path to contention.

Will the Spurs opt for a promising young talent or make a bold trade for an established star?

0:00 Spurs land #2 pick in NBA draft
5:43 Exploring trade options for the #2 pick
11:29 Impact of #14 pick and Dallas winning #1
18:34 Dylan Harper vs other draft prospects
25:28 Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade scenarios
32:00 Balancing win-now moves vs. patient rebuilding
38:50 Weighing pros and cons of trading for Giannis
45:36 Closing thoughts on Spurs’ draft position

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