What if the San Antonio Spurs drafted Tyrese Haliburton?

What if the San Antonio Spurs drafted Tyrese Haliburton?

All right, let’s enter the multiverse and ask, “What if the Spurs selected Tyrese Hallebran instead of Devin Bell? You are Locked on Spurs, your daily San Antonio Spurs podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day.” Happy Wednesday. Welcome back to Locked On Spurs in the Locked on NBA Network. I’m your host, Jeff Garcia, Spurs writer for Kids 5 San Antonio. Glad to have you back and yeah, happy hump day everybody. Hope you’re all getting through your workday. We thank you for making locks your first listen each and every day. Free and available wherever you get podcast, iTunes, Spotify, Kenfi Plus app, YouTube. Go subscribe wherever you get your favorite podcast. You want to do that ASAP. Leave a comment while you’re at the lockdown Spurs YouTube page. We might read in a future episode and uh kind of helps us keep the topics going here throughout the long off season for your silver and black. So, what are we talking about today? you can see in your screen right now if you’re watching on the YouTube, but if you’re not, you’re listening to the show. We’re going to be entering the multiverse. As y’all know, I’m a big nerd, right? I mean, like I think all of San Antonio knows that. And uh the whole multiverse thing in the comics, right? We’re going to enter that world right now and ask what if the Spurs had selected Tyrese Hallebert instead of Deon Vel in the 2020 20 in the 2020 draft, excuse me. Now remember, Vel was the Sante number 11 over I believe in that draft, but Hallebertton was on the board. He went immediately afterwards. So, how much could have been for your silver and black for the league? So much more would wimpy be in Spurs colors. Let’s talk about that in more because frankly, first of all, it wasn’t my idea. You know, I’m getting kind of stumped with some ideas as this offseason continues. So, I had to reach out to my good friend Casey Vieiraa and he’s like, “I want to talk about.” He was basically like this, just grinning, just going, “Yeah, let’s get sports fans fired up about Brian, right?” You know what? I’m not going to go there. I’m not going to go there. Let’s going to bring him on. He is Casey Vieira, my good friend. Follow him on XIC Vieiera. He’s going like this right now, Nick. Yes. Let’s get Spurs fans riled up about a whiff. a whiff that Brian Rank may have done. To be fair, I will say this. To be fair, I left them with a pretty reasonable in my opinion. Yeah, in said Multiverse, if it went the way it did, I thought that I left them with a pretty good starting place. Okay. Well, we’re going to get into that and so much more. And by the way, we’re also going to have a take from a friend of the show, Rudy Compos, later on this show. He gave his two cents on what could happen. He wanted to join for this episode, but he just couldn’t. But he definitely uh wanted to get his uh opinion on the whole thing because he I don’t know if you ever watch his show uh Casey, but they he and his crew, they love going down the rabbit hole. Like what if the Malice in the Palace didn’t happen? Does Reggie get his first ring uh with the Pacers? So I mean that’s something to think about. Think about the Malice and the Palace didn’t happen. Would they have gotten a ring? I think they would have. Well, I mean that that Pacers team was tough, man. Yes. Losing losing our test. Yeah, that’s a that’s a major that that’s major. Yeah, that’s our test in his prime. Yeah. And yeah, he had Reggie still I think Reggie maybe just come in off his prime already on the decline. Yeah. Well, that was if I’m if I’m not mistaken, I think that was Reggie’s last season, right? Well, even then his last season he still that squad was stacked. It was Artess Reggie. I mean, everybody’s showing himself. Germaine O’Neal, Steven Jackson, who was still playing pretty well. Uh, so they they had some horses there. But anyway, you know, we’re going to enter the Spurs multiverse and ask, what if in 2020 the Spurs selected Hallebertton over Vel and we’re bringing them up because, you know, Hallebertton and the Pacers, they’re in the NBA finals starting tomorrow. And of course, we’re watching the games. We’re watching how much Hallebertton is playing. You start scratching your head saying, “Man, what if man, what if Brandon Wright had picked him? What did that war room in San Antonio said? Nah, let’s go with Hallebran instead of Vel. So, we’re going to do that. But I guess we should say no shot at Vel. This is nothing against him. This is just uh going a different course in Spurs history. So, let’s start off with the biggest ripple effect. And by the way, again, this is Casey’s idea. So, I’m pretty sure he’s chomping at the bit. So, let all me to me. Exactly. You know, the first thing I I gotta say is this Spurs would have had one incredible backcourt. I I think it would have been really solid with Hallebertton, a young Hallebertton. I mean, maybe a Dejonte Murray and was Derek White on the roster already? Derek White was on the roster. He was Yeah, that would have been maybe the Spurs would have been ahead of the curve with really positionless basketball. Three guards uh lined up out there. I mean, talk about the ball handling, talk about the scoring, talk about just the facilitating because I think Hallebert was like 7.7 assists uh per game in his rookie season. You you would have not just one, not just two, but three primary ball handlers, but we’re focusing on Hallelbert. I think he would have much well with Lamarcus Aldridge and Demar D. Roza. I think that team put would have been pretty good. Casey, your thoughts? Yeah, that team was playing well. This was the the 72 that was 2020 2021. So that was the 72 game season, the first and season after co and that team at one point was six games over 500 midway through the season. They were a a playoff team. Ultimately they hit a bump in the road. They had a bunch of games wiped out due to CO. They had Derek White catch CO and he was never the same for the remainder of that that season. I mean, it pretty much wiped he it looked like he forgot how to shoot the basketball was terrible and really just downplayed Derek White’s stock, which ultimately proved to be the wrong decision and the right one for the Celtics at least. You know, getting him a cents on the dollar. But you’re looking at a team at that point like you said, Hallebertton probably doesn’t start knowing the Spurs way, knowing knowing how they operate with with these young draft picks. And you saw it with Deon Vel that year. He only played 17 minutes a night, but you have a very good foundation and back coing forward between him, between Dejante and whatever works, whatever happens with with Derek White. Um, you know, that team ultimately did go to the playin. They lost in the first round, finished six games under 500. But then you look what came the following season was that was De Jante’s Allstar campaign, right? What does that what does that look like now? Probably doesn’t happen. Have two essentially all stars in the back court. Yeah, that changes things entirely for the Spurs on top of that. So, should Hallebertton have ended up there, what does the next year look like? And then if you really want if you really want to expand that following draft, the 21 draft, we operate, let’s operate under the assumption that that 21 draft, the Spurs pick somewhere close to that 12 to 15 mark. They in re in the real time in in reality that number 12 pick in 21 was Josh Primo. They’re not selecting Josh Primo if they have no a back court developed there. Who goes four picks later? Alpin Shenun goes. So you’re looking at a foundational core of Hallebertton of Dejante Alpar and Shingu. It means no. It means no Wembi because they’re not going to be bad enough. They’re not punting those two Cads in the middle. But if your core consists of Hallebertton and Shangun in some capacity, De Jante, you get the feeling they would have moved him anyway. So we’ll just say Hallebertton and Shangun. Mhm. That’s a pretty good baseline to start. That really is. That’s a pretty good baseline to start. So, while the narrative when we talk about it out loud, when we think about it, it’s like, oh, they wouldn’t have gotten WMY. Well, they would had a pretty good alternative if they played out very similar to the way they did. Yeah, I think Hallebertton becomes your cornerstone. He is the guy you build around moving forward, right? He is that. and maybe, you know, the Spurs rebuild, you know, quote unquote, uh, is shorter. But, but the only thing I worry about is with that team, let’s just say, you know, a Sangon, a Murray, a White, you know, Hallebert, do they become a mediocre team? Are they just that middling team still? That’s where I kind of pause because I would feel they would still would have had to make a move to bring in maybe just more help. Goon, you know, I just feel cuz if you if you figure then that that’s a crowded back court, Murray likely gets moved regardless. Do you do move Derek White? Is that your castle possibly Harper tandem? We might see in a few months in the past White Hallebertton or do they keep Murray and Hallebertton? Right. Yeah. What do you think? You you operate under the assumption I think that one of Deante or Derek White are they’re moved. Yeah. What was what was forever the sentiment towards the back end of their time here was that they were too similar of the same too much the same player. De Jante was better at the time. Derek White was sent to Boston on cents on the dollar. So you operate under the assumption that one of those two guys is moved. I think say on the Deontay side of things and they put all the eggs in the Derek White basket. The question that arises, does Derek White become the player that he is now? That he’s honestly now that I say that he’s he might be the the the in some respects the second best player on Boston, but built around the foundation that he can be the number three option behind Tatum and Brown. Does he turn into that player here in San Antonio? What? I think he still does. I think he still does. You think so? Yeah. I mean, he just has it in him. He just He has it. You know, he is that rock. So, you you you would not be faced by that struggle that he had in that 20 guarant from 2020 to 2022 after co. No, I I wouldn’t be okay. I would still push forward him. But here’s the other thing, too. When I look at this whatif world and let’s just say Halleurn is in Spurs colors here. You know, I I got to hear right here. I think if you have if you don’t have Vel, then you’re then you’re kind of lacking that 3 and D wing. You don’t have that. And I think that will become a priority for the Spurs to go look for. Uh you know, yes, Hallebran’s offensive impact is huge. I think the Spurs would be fine. But it’s because D Rozan I don’t know if it’s Yeah, you left that summer anyway. Yes. So, D Rosean leaves and you’re still lacking a wing. So, in your in our in this world that you created for us, you have Hallebertton, Sangun, and Murray at least for for that moment. So, there’s that’s where I start thinking there’s still an incomplete team. You don’t have a wing. Um, and that’s where I think the Spurs go look at, you know, perhaps they address it in the draft. I mean, what about that ripple effect? No, for sure. You you wonder what part of Kell Johnson at that point. Well, we’ve seen so many iterations of Kell here. We’ve seen him be a 20 plus point a game scorer. We’ve seen him be the eighth man off the bench. You wonder what iteration of Kell Johnson becomes at that point. Uh should it have gone that direction? I think probably more realistically they go that draft route and maybe down the road they probably play their way out in my opinion of getting a Sohan at eight somewhere around there getting a top 10 top 10 pick cuz I think they’d be right around the back and you know I think they’d be just outside the playing uh realistically some somewhere between somewhere between six and 10, maybe six and nine. I think that’s probably where they would be two years into that point. But yeah, I you’re you’re hoping at that at that point that you’re putting something together that can complement ShenGun and and Haliber. Yeah. And and I think you can find that help to do it. Yeah, you have to be creative a little bit because there are plenty of 3 and D wings, but there’s a difference between having them and having good ones. Um, but the assets still would have been there. They have all their picks. Yeah, exactly. Still would have been there. We’re not done talking about this topic. When we get back, we’re going to continue entering the multiverse and ask should if the Spurs had selected Hallebertton, what would that mean? Now, we also look at the league, yes, league ramifications if that happened with Casey Vieiraa. Make sure to follow him on X at Casec_vie. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get talked about enough, and that is men’s mental health. There’s this pressure to always keep it together, right? 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Look, talk it out with BetterHelp. Listeners right now can get themselves 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/locktonba. That’s betterhelphp.com/lockedonba. And we’re back. We’re here on Lock Dust First joined by Casey Vieier. Make sure to follow him on X at Casecore Vieira. Do that right now. He and I were in the multiverse just as you are right now. We’re peeking into that other universe where the Spurs selected Tyrese Hallebertton instead of I’m sorry of Devin Vel. So, we talked about some of the overlook the big picture things. You know, obviously they’re likely to be a Wimi. Murray or why still gets moved. The Spurs are still not there yet to being a title contender, but in my opinion, uh, Casey, I mentioned I think they’re just a middling team. Again, they still needed to make moves. But here’s the thing, too. I was going to ask you this before the break. Does Hallebertton become even a better player under Papovic? We saw what he did for Tony Parker. We saw what he did for Dejonte Murray. Does a young Tyrese Hallebertton just I mean just explode on the scene under Papovic’s toutelage? I think so. I think I think he does because you’re looking at what he’s under right now in good coaching with Rick Carile. Rick Carile is about as good as you’re going to get in this league. you put him with coach pop in the Spurs system might be a slightly different player, but a lot of the foundational things that make Hallebertton’s game special are conducive to what the Spurs do, what they I think I actually think he becomes a becomes a better defender. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Because because as good as Carile is, he hasn’t necessarily always been known as the classic def defensive-minded head coach. But I think Hallebertton becomes a better defender. I mean, you look at his build, that wiry 65 billion has tools to, you know, improve on that side of the floor. And I think his his unselfishness Mhm. gets fits right in with what the Spurs are looking for. So, yeah, I do think he becomes the player that he has now. if he arrived in San Antonio again, like you said, maybe even better could have improved on the on the defensive end. Yeah, absolutely. And here’s the other thing, too. I think with Hallebertton as a Spur, I think the Spurs are not in a playin playoff drought. I think they’re not in the six season. I think they’re what, six, seven seasons away from a play or playoff birth. Maybe maybe they crack one. I think they get into one playin and I think they actually get into the playoffs via the playin. What do you think about that? Is that stretching it too much? You look at what the Houston Rockets are doing right now with Shingun as their all-star focal point. Why can’t that be the Spurs in this multiverse? Because after ShenGun, after Shenon, Hallebertton is better than he might even be better than Shenon Hallebertton is than anyone on that Rockets roster. So, I’m right there with you. I think I I don’t think they’re title contenders. I don’t think they’re Oklahoma City. I don’t think they’re Denver. I don’t think they’re Minnesota. But, I think if that was the team they had in 2025, I think that would be a team that would find themselves to have snapped that playoff drought. Yeah, I I think so too. Yeah. And let’s see what I think that season, let me see. I got here 21 2021 season there were 33 and 39 there were. Yeah. Yeah. Does does that does Hallebertton get you 40? Does he get you 40 wins? Seven more wins. Yeah. It’s it’s tough because that season was still in the COVID world and that and that Spurs season went off the rails because they had a stretch of games that got cancelled in the middle because of co and Derek White who was you know considered an integral part of that team. I don’t want to I don’t want to say it had the equivalent of a season ending injury, but missed was hurt and then missed a a good chunk of season due to co and didn’t and didn’t come back as the player that he was even half of that. He was he was he was after he came back he did not have a good season. He he struggled immensely with the basketball. Got benched one day I remember. So no, I don’t think they’re that much better. I think they’re in the playing conversation cuz 40 and if you they hit 40, remember that’s a 72 game season. So that means they’re eight games over 500. I don’t think they get to eight games over 500. A lot of things play out similar in that COVID world that it did. I don’t think I don’t think in that 2021 campaign they are exponentially better just based off the extenduating circumstances that surrounded the team. Maybe the following year. It’s tough to say because the following year is when they started to divert towards the rebuild a little bit and De Jante’s breakout year and they made the play and again I think they are improved after that and then certainly two years after that um if they do have Halle burn at that point but of course that means you don’t get Wii at the end of the day. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. U one other thing too is I wonder in this universe because the Spurs they say they’re a middle team you know they make the play in they they get bounced or you know somehow they get into the playoffs they get bounced in this world does become the next Kawhai does he become you know what this ain’t working out get me out of here I want to go to a title contending team do we have that scenario again in this multiverse I don’t think so not yet I don’t think No, I don’t I don’t I don’t see it. Yeah. Yeah, I don’t see it. I think I he definitely fits into the Spurs culture. There’s no doubt about that. Uh he’s never been on the headlines for the wrong reasons, at least to my knowledge. So, he fits in well. I think I think Papovic really boost his game. I think what we’re seeing now in reality, we might see that maybe times two under Papovic. Uh because look what he did for D Rozan. I mean Rose come to say I never evolved my game until I gave him to San Antonio in the pop. You know you saw a better commitment to defense. You saw him become a better facilitator but I think the same thing happens for Hallebert and U. But no I I think even if you have Hallebertton you’re still looking for his running mate. I think you’re still I mean maybe Sen turns into that. Do you think Singon becomes the one-two punch in San Antonio? I mean he was an all-star this year. He did it with better He did it with less point guard play. Yeah. Than what you would get with Hallebertton. Yeah. So yeah, I think so. Here’s one thing. Primo Primo definitely doesn’t go what? Top top 15. That doesn’t happen. Yeah. No, I don’t know. I think he’s that’s never And that’s never a thing. Yeah, that’s a thing. Never becomes a thing. It’s so much more. Okay. So, we kind of looked at this universe and said, okay, this is what the implication for San Antonio. Yes. Hallelbertton would have been a phenomenal pick. You know, he would have probably been helping the Spurs right now, becoming out of the rebuild sooner. But what about leaguewide ramifications, Casey? How does this ripple effect infect the entire NBA? See, see, I I have I have my notes here. Okay. because when I initially pitched this segment to do, I I I had more of the Spurs focus, but I had some time last night and so I kind of got to scribbling a little bit and I realized that had the Spurs and not to point fingers directly at the Spurs, could be could be Detroit who passed up on him in favor of Killian Hayes. Brutal. Could have been brutal. It could have been the Knicks who passed up on him. Obi- Toppen, which ironically enough, and if I remember correctly, I think Nick fan base up rubbing arms about them passing on Hallebertton, right? Yeah, I remember that. Yes, I was still living in New York. Yeah, at that time I remember the Bulls passed on for Patrick Williams. So, the Spurs aren’t the lone culprit in all this. But what I discovered is that the fact that because all those teams and well I guess beyond you know the the prior 11 teams that did not take Tyrese Saluran for whatever which reason some some understandable because they let him fall into the hands of the Sacramento Kings. They pretty much changed the trajectory of the league for the next decade. Wow. Let’s see what you got. And I’m going to explain. Okay. So you look, we’ll start on the Kings side of things. So that year, that year they’re nothing special. They go 30 and 52. De’Arra Fox has a pretty good year, 25 and seven. But still at the end of one season of play, that’s when the chatters come out. At the end of the 202021 season, that’s when the chatters start to come out of whether the duo of Hallebert and Fox can play together. Mhm. So you go into 21-22, Julius Randall is having a really good season, coming off a really good season for the Knicks. 2021 gets them back into the playoffs. There’s a little bit of a regression. Fox is starting to have a little bit, not a regression, but a little bit of a fall off trying to mesh with Hallebertton. So two options come about here. Are they going to move Fox potentially for Julius Randall, which was a conversation, or are they going to move Hallebertton to the Pacers for Demonus Sabonis, right? Which is ultimately how real life played out. Played out. Yeah. But say they move Fox to the Knicks for Julius Randall and they elect to go with the core of Hallebertton Randall. Fox goes to the Knicks. Mhm. That means the Knicks don’t get Carl Anthony Towns because Randall was the focal point of that trade which thought this was thought to be a possibility because that’s why they drafted Obie Topman to hit with before his breakout season Julius Randle. They don’t end up with Cat and in all likelihood they don’t end up with Jaylen Brunson because the point guard spot is filled, right? Jaylen Brunson, you wonder, is probably now more inclined to stay in Dallas because nobody else offered him that $55 million contract. So Dallas has their foundation of Brunson, Luca, and perhaps Porzingis. Do with that what you will. Do with that what you will. I’m not done. I’m not done, Jeff. I’m not done. All right. What you got? So then on the Pacers side of things, they pass on the opportunity to get Hallebertton whether they or that the the King the trade. Yeah. Yeah. The trade. So Hallebertton’s not sent to the Pacers. So their foundation is of course Sabonis Victor Oldipo who came over in the Paul George trade from Oklahoma City and Malcolm Brogden who was coming off three years in Milwaukee, one rookie of the year and was really viewed as a centerpiece of their future going forward. It didn’t particularly work out that way. Nope. So they trade Brogden to the Boston Celtics. the Pacers do. Who do the Celtics give up in that deal to go back to the Pacers? Don’t say it. Aaron Nesmith. Oh, are they Are they going to say one of the uh the Tatum or Brown or something? Well, no. Aaron Nesmith goes back to the Pacers. Yeah. So, Brogden goes to Boston. Brogden is the sixth man of the year for the Boston Celtics. That summer is the summer of the Damen Lillard trade to the Bucks, which of course sends Drew Holiday to the B to the to the Portland Trailblazers, right? Something the Bucks did not see coming was that the Trailblazers were ready to move off of Holiday. So, who do they send Holiday for? They send Holiday to the Celtics for Malcolm Brogden. M and as a result, you’re looking at the Celtics winning a championship a few years later with Drew Holiday as a big part of their core. Wow. Going back to the original sentiment that had Hallebertton not been traded to the Pacers, none of this would happen. Yeah. None of this would happen. Amazing, right? Amazing. Yeah. And then and then there’s I guess smaller, you know, the way you look at it here. You know, Pistons, if the Pistons had taken him, they don’t have Kate Cunningham right now. No, they don’t. And Kate Cunningham is who even knows at that point. So, lesson learned here. The Spurs by not selecting Tyrese Hallebertton let him and letting him fall into the hands of the Sacramento Kings completely changed the landscape of the NBA for the next decade. It definitely did. Here’s the other thing too. Oh, I’m sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. Finish your thought. I’m sorry. No, just and I know there’s there’s some whatifs in there. There’s quite a few. Sure. But in my mind, not completely foreign whatifs if you look about what was talked about right at the time. Well, I got I got I I got two for you. I got two. By the way, great great breakdown. That’s that’s that’s just phenomenal. I’m glad I had some time last night. Yeah. And I’m glad you pitched this idea to me. But I got two two things. I guess one is kind of a question. One, I think the Spurs do select Hallebertton. Brian Wright perhaps serious contender for exec of the year. I think he doesn’t get They got it. They got to win and they got I think he gets up there. I think he doesn’t get as much fan backlash as he’s getting right now. And uh yeah, so I think that happens. But here’s another bigger question. Where which team does WBY go to? Because the Spurs definitely don’t get him in this scenario. They don’t get him. No. So where does he go to? Are we looking at a LaMelo ball? Victor Wemble and Yaction. Oh, Charlotte could be a Hornet 10 years. And that’s not a bad one two combo there. Are you looking at that? Are you looking I mean are you looking at him? Houston doesn’t have Shangun at that point and they were still even with Shangon they were bad. So even worse are you looking at Wimi in Houston. Yeah the place he did not want to go to. The place he did not want to go to. Oh man so much whatifs. See thank you Casey for bringing up this topic man. It’s just awesome. One decision one. Well, actually, not one really because Hallebertton went 12, right? So, 11 decisions to put Tyrese Hallebertton in the hands of the Sacramento Kings changed a decade’s worth of basketball and an era worth of basketball. I know. And here’s a guy that there by his peers was considered overrated, which is wild. Wild. And he’s in the NBA finals right now. Well, starting tomorrow against OKC, but I mean just so I mean look, I look back and I’m like, man, Spurs, Hallebertton could have been a Spur, but it gets hindsight’s 2020. Now look at them now. Technically, they are perhaps in a better pace uh place for the long term versus Indiana. You know, the Wimby’s on board, you know, Castle looking good. So, it all works out. But man, just how little what is it? The butterfly effect. I was just gonna say, have you ever had such a butterfly effect episode of locked on here? This just blew my mind. Especially when we went down the NBA landscape. That was like what? Can you imagine Dallas? Dallas. Dallas might be challenging OKC or might be up there with Brunson, Luca, and Porzingis. I mean, if Porzingis stays reasonably healthy, even even if they just the the core is just Brunson and and Donic, there’s there’s always been the overriding sentiment that that or maybe not overriding, but there’s always been the sentiment that Brunson doesn’t become Bronson. He’s wasn’t in Luca’s shadow. I’m not one of those those people. I I think’s too tremendous at what he does to have not broken out. Yeah. Um, but there was talk with Brunson that when he signed that $100 million deal in the summer of 22 to 23, he was the only one. The Knicks were the only one to offer that. Yeah. And he was interested in in in going back to Dallas, but they c Mark Cuban wasn’t willing to go anywhere remotely close. They were willing to offer that 55 and and go and go from there. Yeah. And as a result, Brunson in New York doing what he’s doing. Yeah, that’ll be too The Mavericks are what they are right now. They probably don’t have Cooper Flag and Anthony. You can go on and on and on and on and on with this one little move that the Spurs did not make and that is not selecting Tyrese Hallebertton. All right, we’re not done talking about the multiverse. When we get back, uh I got a friend uh the show, Rudy Compost. He so wanted to join the show because he loves these whatifs, but he sent me his thoughts on what could have happened if the Spurs had selected Hallebran. We also got a shout out and so much more coming up next right here on Locked on Spurs. Hey, I want to talk to you about open phone. If you’re running a business, you know that every miss call is money left on the table. Think about the last time you had an urgent need, maybe for a plumber or a service provider. If the person didn’t answer, what did you do? Probably nothing. you know, you moved on. Well, that’s why you need Open Phone. Open Phone is the number one business phone system built to streamline and scale your customer communications, all from an app on your phone or computer. Look, they got an AI agent that’ll handle calls after hours, answer common questions, capture leads so you never miss a customer. They got a shared inbox, uh, which is pretty much a game changer. Uh, your team can jump into any conversation instantly without missing a beat. Open Phone lets you manage business calls and texts from a single app. Open Phone is offering listeners 20% off your first six months at openphone.com/locktonba. That’s op ph h o ne.com/locktonba. And if you have an existing number with any other service, open phone will port them over at no extra charge. Open phone, no missed calls, no missed customers. And we’re back right here on Lockdown Spurs joined by Casey Vieiraa. I I think he has America Chavez’s powers. You know, she can open up multiveres because he just did that. But he’s continued to do that right here on Lockdown Spurs. We are entering the multiverse and asking what if the Spurs has selected Hallebertton over Vel. Now the first segment we talk about the Spurs ramifications. Second segment we talk about the league ramification a little bit more of the Spurs ramifications. But what does somebody else think about this topic here? Now, good friend of the show, Rudy Compos from Sweep the Elite. He’s so wanted to do this. Again, if you ever go to watch his show, he loves doing whatifs, you know, from what if the Pistons don’t do the malice of the palace. What if uh you know, Jordan doesn’t slip past number one, you know, so much more. So, this is definitely in his wheelhouse. So, I’m going to get your reaction to his take here. Uh Casey, here he goes. He says, quote, “If the Spurs drafted Hallebertton, they would not have been in a position to get Wimby.” I think that’s obvious, right? They would be in a mediocre category. Not bad enough to be a bottom team, but not good enough to be a contender. D Rozan would have more than likely stayed in San Antonio, forming a back court of Dejante, D Rozan, and Hallebertton. YaKob would have been the perfect fit for all three of them. Overall with Halerena, the Spurs are a playin playoff team as constructed at the time, but never a title a title contender. End quote. What do you think about that? I think I I don’t think Deamar was going to stay really. I I I don’t think Dear was going to stay. I think Dear was ready to move on to something else at that point. That’s again, that’s me personally. I I think um Dear was good here. Maybe the Hallebertton thing changes that uh having a having a point guard of that ilk. Maybe maybe it does. Uh because the ball still is in his court at that Demar’s point that Demar’s court at that point and he’s seeing Vel that he knows he sees them select Vel and he knows for a fact that he’s not coming back. Yeah. Yeah. He that almost goes without saying. So perhaps that does it to to get him on out of here. So, I don’t know longterm past that 21 season if Demar stays. I don’t I don’t think he would because I I think that he was still of the mindset. He’s heading towards the home stretch of his career, is going to make an attempt to pursue a title and he’s not going to do it in those first few years in San Antonio. He ends up sign He ends up signing with the Bulls. Yeah. That first year they’re pretty good. doesn’t work out the rest of the way that that summer. The Bulls they add Lonzo and then they add Zack Lavine and it’s a pretty good core that has them in the top half of the Eastern Conference for most of the season and it ultimately doesn’t work out and they get if I’m not mistaken they get bumped out in the first round too. I don’t think Demar stays. The Yaka Purle thing that was interesting. Yeah, that’s a good one. Yeah, the Yakob pearl thing was interesting because we talked about the Shenun and I had it the Yak I wrote Shenun question mark Yakob question mark and I and we didn’t get to the Yakob question mark part. He was starting to come into his zone those last few years and that’s why they were able to get a pretty good pick for him uh last year from from Toronto. Toronto. Yeah. Yeah. That’s a question that if they going back to the Shenun side of things, what stock do they put in Yakob at that point? Is this kind of looked at as Shenun’s the predecessor and we’re not ready or willing to pay the the extension that is going to get the money that that he deservedly is going to get. We’d rather pivot to the Shangun part. I think that’d be valid because that’s actually what ended up happening in real life. They cashed in and they got pretty good capital on it. They got a pretty good return out of it. I tend to think that direction. Of course, if you know, if that’s assumed that they were to go Shangon at 12 or in that realistic ballpark, I do think had he stayed, he would have fit pretty well. Oh, yeah. There he turned in by the time he left, he was a real good pick and pop guy. and even was kind of extending his range a little bit. It used to be outside of six feet, you once you got him outside of six feet, it was a black hole. Nothing was happening. But he by the time he left, he was he was mobile. He was extending that range. Not a three-point shooter by any stretch, but he had gotten immensely better from when he first got here in 2019. I agree with that point. I agree with that point. in the immediiacy what they are is right around probably that six to 10 like we were saying. Yeah. But if we’re looking at it right now the Spurs of present day they’re not they haven’t been close to the playoffs. No they haven’t. So we’ll call it what we’ll call in the immediacy the Spurs in the different universe they’re probably they’re they’re probably more successful. Does it turn them into a title contender? I don’t know. No. The long-term future is much brighter with Victor, but in the present day, there hasn’t been a massive sample size that shows that that they’re better than the different universe, right? What what what year was Primo selected? 21. It was the next season, right? 21. Yeah. Okay. Here, you know, this definitely We’ll save this maybe I might save this one for Rudy because he loves these whatifs. But what if the Spurs didn’t pick Primo and got Singon because he was still on the board. Sen was definitely was on the board still and operating under operating under the assumption they still went the cell the year before. Yeah, here that’s a good one. No Victor at minimum again. No Victor again. Yeah, probably not. Cuz do they keep the Jante because if you if if they had No, of course. Oh man, De Jante De Jonte Sangun would be dynamite. I think they would work a lot better. You think they would have stuck with the Dejonte Derek White thing? No, no, no. I I still I think maybe they they still trade Derek, but I think Dejante it becomes a better piece to run alongside Zangun. I don’t know the Hallebertton I see Hallebert. I mean I like I like Hallebert and Yako Purle and I do Dejante Shenun man. Okay, you know I got I’m I’m diving into the freaking rabbit hole Casey. I gotta save this one for a new episode of Lock Cons. That’s a good one, too. This was only See, this was only about 45 minutes to an hour’s worth of prep. If you gave me a whole day to waste to write all that down. Yeah. This show would not be no 35 40. We have to break it in like part one, part two, part three. It’ll be even parts. Yeah. This would turn into a docky series, man. He would. All right. Uh, let’s go see what locked off Spurs fans are talking about. Uh, we got to pull up a Well, we only have time for one comment. This multiverse thing really got to us here. Um, here we go. Let me pick one out here. See, I wasn’t even ready for it. I’m like, yes, right when I brought up Primo and passing on Primo for Singon, I’m like, well, who would work better? You know, I’m just focusing on Dejante or Derek because I still think one of those guys gets moved, but I agree. Stop it. I got to stop. Okay. Uh, here’s one. This is from Anthony Ramos 361. He says, “Damn, I would love to package something for OG Anobi and Mitchell Robinson. Problem solved and still draft Dylan Harper.” Uh, so I guess problem solved meaning a wing player type guy there or even a big uh with Mitchell Robinson. Uh, what do you think about that? Do you think OG and Mitchell Robinson since you know you and I well you’re a native New Yorker. I’m an adopted New Yorker. Um anything you think a deal for one of those guys helps the Spurs in this rebuild in the Hallebertton universe in the normal in the normal universe. Yeah, we’ve exited the uh Voltiverse now. We’re back in real time. We’re back in real time. Okay. Yes. What do they give? I don’t know. You saw you saw Mitchell Robinson in that playoff. I mean OG OG was solid. Yeah. As well. Solid. Got to give it to Garrett. You’re not going to get either of those guys on for cents on the dollar. Yeah. And what what do the Spurs What do the Spurs say the Knicks want to stay in title contention, which they do. They’re close. What do the Spurs offer that’s going to keep them in title contention? keep them in title contention cap draft capital that they can turn for somebody else in my opinion that’s about it cuz I don’t think I don’t think Kellan pushes them I don’t think you’re not moving castle you’re not moving castle maybe Vel maybe they don’t want Vel they don’t want Vel Unless Unless the only way I I would see that working before you have to try to make the money work is that you would probably have to send them two. I think that’s the only way you would have to send them to so they could send two out to do to go get Giannis. Yeah. Or Durant, whatever it is. That’s the only way I would see it would work. And then and All right. I don’t think it would. Yeah, I’m right there with you. All right. Thank you for that comment there. Uh we appreciate it. Keep them coming. You want to go to Lockdown Spurs uh YouTube page and leave a comment because we definitely need your help in this long off season. Hey, before we go though, Casey, we got to go do a quick shout out. Friend of the show, uh Jacob Eric, he’s on X at Jacob Ericc. Uh I think Casey, you actually did a spotlight this uh when he and his son did a box break a Wimies rookie year in his car. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s them two. So yeah, you follow each other on Twitter. Jacob Perrick. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So he is So his son David who uh got that card during that infamous Lock Spurs video. He has graduated from high school uh today. So congratulations to David. Uh just seems like yesterday, See, this is what your dad wants me to say. Seems just like yesterday you almost messed up the episode of Locked on Spurs. And he’s talking about not you’re literally Jacob. Wait, which one’s Jacob? Which one’s Eric? Oh, no. It’s the same guy. Jacob. Eric is the name of the father. His son is David. Oh, okay. Dave. Got it. No, no, no, no, no, no. So, David is graduating from high school. Uh, but again, if you want to, I mean, if you can dig through the archives of Lockdown Spurs, go revisit that episode where father and son, I mean, first of all, credit kudos to them because they bought a and these these cards are not cheap. They bought a brand new box of cards and were willing to open it live. Well, live recording and to see in the in the hopes of getting a Wimi rookie card and literally and Casey did again did a story about this last pack. The last card they had it there and the Sun realized that was the last last pack. It was the last pack in the last card and the bottom of the ninth inning there. Yes. Well, it gets even better. David actually just shuffle through and did it completely inspect them and he threw the pack on the on the table in the video and the father Jacob Eric looked at that pack cuz I guess when it fell it kind of separated the cards out and it was it was tucked away at the last one. I guess they got stuck or something tucked away and he’s you look at the video he’s staring at the uh coffee table going like oh my god there it is and then they just leapt up in the air. Uh but yeah, David almost lucky he threw it. He didn’t dent it, man. You go through all that and then you throw the card and you deck you pop the corner on it. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh he didn’t do that type thing, man. Yeah. He just kind of he just casually tossed it like this. Nothing with force. Just kind of like ah, you know, bust and then there it was sitting there. But again, congratulations, David. Graduate of high school. I think he’s Yeah, today was coming out today. So, he’s come out today. Way to go, David. Way to go. Congratulations. Yes. big achievement here. All right, we are done talking. We got to hear from you. Uh what about this what if world this universe that we just entered and exited out of? Just how much would have things changed not just for the Spurs but for the league if the Spurs had selected Hallebertton? And uh leave us your thoughts right now. Go to the Lockdown Spurs YouTube page. Leave us a comment really in a future episode of lockdown spurs. If you want to talk about Casey and his inf his tons of notes there he’s been showing off. Uh let him know what you think on ads at Casec_vie. Do that right now. Casey, awesome topic. Glad you brought it up. I think this is awesome thing to talk about especially with the final starting tomorrow. So it’s a perfect right. I figured it was very timely. Yeah, very you know us this time of year as we always like to say going back to the co days we’re in the Derek White lunchbox. No, not Durk. It was uh Bren Forbes. Brim Forbes. By the way, he’s playing uh in South America now. Brin Forbes. Uhhuh. Yeah. Let’s keep the dream alive. I guess he’s still plugging away. I believe he’s like a Oh my god. He’s just in South America. I don’t remember. But um that team put out a picture of him with the jersey. I was like, “Oh, that’s what he’s doing nowadays.” But yeah, there he is. Yeah. Yeah, I got nothing I got not much to to add. Hey, hey, hey, let’s not enter that universe. How about Yeah, that’s not a universe I want to get into. All right, Casey, again, thank you. We appreciate your time coming here Lockdown Spurs and sharing this topic with everybody. I think Wild fans are going to enjoy this episode a lot. So, we appreciate it. Casey, everybody else, we appreciate y’all for making Lockdown Spurs your first and only spot for all things Silver and Black. Uh, find us on iTunes, Spotify, Keny Plus app, YouTube. Subscribe right now. I do that ASAP. Uh we’ll definitely have a new episode of Locked on Spurs tomorrow as the Spurs off season continues. Maybe we’ll resume the player profiles or unless Rudy’s beating on my door right now saying I want to do a what if. I I got to have a what if you because he loves the what if episodes. Hey, before we go, make sure your second listen is locked on NBA big board. NBA draft expert Raphael Barlo rest to every workout, interview, and rumor leading up to the NBA draft. Find Locked on NBA Big Board on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcast. So for Casey Vieiraa, the multiverse master, I should say, I am Jeff Garcia.

What if the Spurs had drafted Tyrese Haliburton instead of Devin Vassell in 2020?

This alternate reality could have reshaped the NBA landscape for years to come.

Explore a fascinating “what if” scenario that examines how Tyrese Haliburton’s presence might have impacted the San Antonio Spurs’ roster, playoff chances, and long-term trajectory. From potential lineups featuring Dejounte Murray and Derrick White to speculations on Victor Wembanyama’s draft status, no stone is left unturned. The discussion extends beyond San Antonio, analyzing ripple effects across the league, including trades involving Domantas Sabonis and Jrue Holiday.

Host Jeff Garcia and guest Casey Vieira break down the far-reaching consequences of this hypothetical draft decision. Could Haliburton have flourished under Gregg Popovich’s tutelage? How might this have altered the Spurs’ rebuild timeline?

Tune in for an in-depth analysis of this intriguing alternate NBA timeline and its potential ramifications for the Spurs and beyond.

0:00 Intro: What if Spurs drafted Tyrese Haliburton?
5:22 Potential Spurs lineup with Haliburton
12:49 League-wide implications of Haliburton to Spurs
20:25 Would Haliburton become disgruntled in San Antonio?
26:37 Butterfly effect on NBA landscape
32:40 Friend’s take on Haliburton to Spurs scenario
39:24 Exploring Sengun to Spurs what-if scenario

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