This would be a very peculiar spot for San Antonio because of this crazy fact: since 1990, the Spurs have made a top-15 selection just once, when they drafted Tim Duncan in 1997. As in stands in late February, Greg Popovich and company are in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since that ’97 season.
With that big change could come others as well. There had been rumors both last off season and around the trade deadline of the Spurs being willing to part ways with both DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, and that could come to fruition around the time of the draft. A trade at that point could also affect where, if at all, the Spurs will be picking in the lottery.
If they are to stand pat and find their pick falling in the top 14, one player that they could be interested in is Nico Mannion out of Arizona. The freshman point guard has played well enough this season to garner some late-lottery projections due to his playmaking ability and solid scoring numbers. He has struggled with his shooting percentages this season, but would likely improve that along the way under Popovich’s tutelage should the Spurs go this route.
Mannion is one of the many solid point guard options in this draft, and his stock could change drastically during and after the NCAA Tournament later this month. It is likely that he is one of the five point guards selected in the lottery.