The NBA Draft Lottery concluded with a whimper for Spurs fans. There was plenty of excitement to go around for other NBA franchises, but by being a way better team than expected, the Hawks ensured San Antonio wouldn't get to experience any of it. Brian Wright will have to make do with the 20th pick. Thankfully, he's a great general manager, and this roster is built to thrive regardless of this outcome.
In a recent FanSided mock draft, Josh Cornelissen has the Silver and Black taking Chris Cenac Jr. from the University of Houston. The 6'11" developmental power forward would be a project player for the organization to craft into a solid contributor, likely destined to spend time in the G League to get as much out of his training as possible. He battles on the boards, plays with energy, and has the tools to become a reliable shooter.
According to scouting reports, it may take some time for the versatile prospect to reach his potential, but there is immense upside if he does. Meanwhile, the Spurs can continue to rely on Julian Champagnie and Carter Bryant to hold down the fort at the four.
Bryant and Champagnie will do enough at power forward for now
Champ has that position now, and contrary to what subsections of the fan base will tell you, he's doing a fine job of playing it. In fact, the St. Mary's product has a positive net rating with every lineup Mitch Johnson has rolled onto the floor for any significant amount of time. The Spurs just won 62 games and are on the verge of making it to the Western Conference Finals. They're not lacking much.
What we're talking about is building the perfect roster with no weaknesses, but sometimes, the basketball gods won't allow that. Imagine San Antonio having a more efficient Julius Randle-style player at power forward. With the amount of speed, power, and versatility already on the roster with impossibly dynamic guards and a GOAT-level center, adding that wouldn't really be fair.
If they want a shakeup from Jules, Bryant will do just fine, though. He's already making an impact in critical playoff games as a rookie on both ends of the floor. He'll gain strength in the offseason, and his understanding of the NBA will grow. If the Spurs want to add a little more pop to the starting lineup, flipping him and Champagnie's spots could do the trick.
This is a team full of young guys who have all shown an ability to take large steps forward. San Antonio doesn't really have to draft anyone. They could trade the pick and still thrive. Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Victor Wembanyama, Julian Champagnie, and Carter Bryant are all under 25 years of age. That's a scary sentence, knowing they'll keep growing.
They're too much to handle for opponents as they are. If they keep growing, NBA fans across the league will look at any addition to the Spurs' roster as gluttony. So, whether they draft a guy like Cenac Jr. or not, the Silver and Black are poised to continue on an upward trajectory that could end with a dynasty of their own. It's a win-win.
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