San Antonio could target Santa Clara’s Allen Graves to bolster their young core, adding a versatile, sharpshooting forward capable of spacing the floor alongside Wemby.
The San Antonio Spurs have spent the last few years building one of the NBA’s most intriguing young cores, and their latest projected draft selection could add another versatile piece.
The NBA draft lottery just took place, and the Spurs ended up with the 20th pick. And with how talented this year's class is, they could add a real weapon even outside the lottery.
In a recent mock draft by Bleacher Report, the Spurs are projected to select Allen Graves, a rising forward prospect from Santa Clara whose all-around game has steadily gained attention among NBA scouts.
"Scouts expected he'd be back as a transfer-up candidate to a power conference school... But Graves has declared for the draft, and now he'll become one of the more interesting prospects to evaluate during the NBA combine, workouts, and interviews," BR's Jonathan Wasserman writes.
While he may not yet be one of the biggest names in the class, Graves has become the type of player teams increasingly value because of his versatility, feel for the game, and ability to impact winning in multiple ways.
For San Antonio, the fit feels especially interesting.
The Spurs already have a franchise centerpiece in Victor Wembanyama, along with a growing collection of young talent built around length, skill, and defensive versatility. Graves appears to fit directly into that vision.
At 6-9, he brings size and positional flexibility that could allow him to play multiple frontcourt roles depending on the lineup. And with the one position you could call a hole in the Spurs' lineup, being power forward, that could work nicely
Graves averaged just under 12 points and 6.5 assists in his one season at Santa Clara, and he did so while being efficient. He shot 51 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc, which is very impressive given his size.
What may make this projection even more intriguing is how Graves complements Wembanyama specifically. The Spurs have consistently searched for players who can defend, pass, and make quick decisions around their superstar big man. Graves’ ability to move without the ball and function as a connective piece offensively could make him a natural fit in lineups centered around Wemby.
And the shooting doesn't hurt, that's for sure.
San Antonio is already in a prime contending position, and adding a young guy that come in and fits in seamlessly could further propel them along.