The San Antonio Spurs quickly defied many people’s expectations this past season, rolling through the Western Conference with 62 wins and the No. 2 seed in the NBA Playoffs.
They’re now heading into a second-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team built through smart moves in the NBA Draft and via trades that brought them MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell.
Many can point to the strong moves that San Antonio made in recent drafts, including landing No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama three seasons ago, Stephon Castle in the 2024 NBA draft, and Dylan Harper in last year’s draft. They’ve all been clicking and earlier than anticipated, which could suggest an upset is brewing in the WCF.
While it might be early to look ahead, the team also holds multiple picks in June’s draft, beginning with the 20th and continuing through the 44th. That gives them plenty of potential to add more talent, and according to a recent mock draft, they might add a second UConn star with Castle.
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Bleacher Report unveiled its updated mock draft based on recent NBA draft Combine workouts, results, and rumors. Several UConn stars have been impressive, as Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban are coming off a near-championship run in the NCAA Tournament.
Many are projecting Karaban to go near the top of the second round, possibly in the first round, depending on team needs. However, BR’s Jonathan Wasserman speculates that Karaban will be the Spurs’ pick at No. 35. He contends that teams are seeing further evidence of his abilities to become “an NBA-ready shooter, cutter and professional” from his combine results.
He led all players in the shooting drills, which would certainly grab attention and boost his stock. Additionally, he significantly improved his vertical jump compared to his previous combine two years ago.
There is also significant value in the fact that he won two championships under Dan Hurley at UConn and competed for a third this past college basketball season. Remaining committed to improving his skills and helping his team over four years also speaks volumes to Karaban’s character.
If the Spurs were to add Karaban, he would join a team featuring his former championship-winning teammate, Castle, who has emerged as a young star in the NBA. That gives him someone to look to for assistance as he becomes acclimated to the Spurs system and the NBA way of life.
Additionally, the Spurs don’t need to rush Karaban into playing time or a roster role. If he needs time to develop off the bench or ends up spending time in the G League, San Antonio still has plenty of talent to compete until he’s ready to contribute.
They also hold the No. 20, No. 29, and No. 42 picks in this year’s draft, giving them ample room to find new talent to bolster further what is already an impressive collection on their squad.
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