Victor Wembanyama’s breakout rookie season was all the proof the Spurs needed that he will soon be one of the best players in the NBA.
Wembanyama’s rise to stardom will surely accelerate San Antonio’s rebuilding process, and the team’s luck in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery only helped that cause. The Spurs had a 2024 first-round pick protected in the Raptors’ top six via the Jakob Poeltl trade last season. The odds favored Toronto to go No. 6 and keep their pick, but instead, the ping-pong balls bounced in San Antonio’s favor.
The Spurs got the No. 8 overall pick from the Raptors, giving them two top-10 picks.
Even in a draft that lacks superstar-caliber talent, the Spurs now have two valuable assets at their disposal.
Who should the Spurs take at Nos. 4 and 8 overall if they keep their pick? The Jugo Mobile breaks down their 2024 draft picks and top targets below.
Which 2024 NBA Draft picks do the Spurs have?
The Spurs have two first-round picks and two second-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
- No. 4 overall
- No. 8 overall (via TOR)
- No. 35 overall
- No. 48 overall (via LAL)
Toronto’s eighth overall pick comes from the Poeltl trade during the 2022-23 season. Los Angeles’ 48th overall pick was redirected to San Antonio from a second-round trade with Memphis in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Who should the Spurs select in the 2024 NBA Draft?
If the Spurs have the opportunity to trade any of their top 10 picks in a package for an established star running mate for Wembanyama, they should do so without a second thought.
That said, here are some prospects you should consider if you keep both first-round picks.
No. 4 overall
Stephon Castle, G, UConn
I had the Spurs select Castle at No. 4 in my post-lottery mock draft, and I remain adamant that he would be a great fit alongside Wembanyama.
Castle wants to play point guard and the Spurs desperately need a floor general to set Wembanyama up for success. The UConn freshman defends at a high level, attacks the basket off the dribble and is a capable playmaker with room to grow.
There are valid concerns about his jump shot, but his versatility on both sides of the ball as a 6-6 shooting guard makes him an easy option in San Antonio.
Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard is another common name that appears with the Spurs. His fit alongside Wembanyama is clear as one of the most consistent three-point shooters in the draft.
Sheppard shot 52.1 percent from 3 as a freshman at Kentucky. He is a good ball handler and a connective passer who gets everyone involved. Sheppard is also a smart perimeter defender who could give San Antonio the stability its defense needs.
Nikola Topic, G, Red Star (Serbia)
Topic was widely ranked as one of the top five players in this draft class before he was diagnosed with a partially torn ACL. The 19-year-old has had knee problems all season, but that shouldn’t reduce his potential.
Topic is the best pick-and-roll guard in this draft class with fantastic court vision and clutch playmaking. He consistently goes downhill and embraces contact as a finisher, but his jump shot needs improvement.
San Antonio could use a point guard of the future and patience could be a virtue when playing the waiting game with Topic if he is available.
No. 8 overall (via TOR)
Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
Knecht is my favorite candidate for a Spurs team that should look to win now.
The 23-year-old is a physical 6-6 forward who is ready to make an immediate impact at the NBA level. He established himself as one of the nation’s most prolific three-point scorers at Tennessee, averaging 21.7 points on 39.7 percent shooting from three.
His perimeter shooting will only make life easier for Wembanyama on the interior, but there’s a chance he’s off the board at No. 8.
Ron Holland, F, G Ignite League
Holland is one of the best and most versatile defenders in this draft class. Although Wembanyama has already proven himself to be arguably the league’s most valuable defensive player, San Antonio’s anchor could still use some help.
Holland is fast, long and athletic, defending with relentless energy, crashing the glass and running in transition. His offensive skills need polishing, but he still averaged 20.6 points per game for the Ignite without a reliable jumper or NBA-level shot creation skills.
It won’t help space the floor for Wembanyama, but it would certainly do some damage on cuts if the 7-4 center is double-teamed.
Matas Buzelis, F, G Liga Ignite
Buzelis is another high-potential option for the Spurs at No. 8.
The 6-10 forward is a versatile scorer who could stretch the floor alongside Wembanyama. He only shot 27.3 percent from 3-point range with the Ignite, but his mechanics indicate that he is not far from being a perimeter shooting threat.
He showed improvement as a defender last season and will continue to improve as he gains more weight.
Buzelis doesn’t necessarily fit the “win now” schedule, but San Antonio’s renowned player development program would be ideal for him to reach his full potential.