5 names to know as big men highlight the Spurs’ NBA Draft wish list

The approach Santa Clara ahead Allen Graves sees it, the greatest issues he does on the basketball courtroom do not at all times present up in the field rating.

“I’d like to say I have a good feel for the game,” Graves instructed reporters at the NBA draft mix. “My knowledge of basketball has always been pretty good.”

An analytics darling who did not begin for his school crew, Graves has seen his draft inventory rise in latest weeks. He is certainly one of a handful of gamers who may discover a touchdown spot in San Antonio.

Fresh off a visit to the NBA Finals, the Spurs personal the No. 20 choose in the first spherical of the draft Tuesday in New York. They have been ready to transfer up 9 slots thanks to a choose swap with Atlanta, a remnant from the 2022 Dejounte Murray commerce.

The Spurs additionally personal three picks in Wednesday’s second spherical — Nos. 35, 42 and 44 — though the membership is unlikely to make all of them.

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When it comes to persevering with to construct the roster out round celebrity Victor Wembanyama, Spurs common supervisor Brian Wright, who picked in the prime 4 in every of the earlier three drafts, may have to do with deciding on in the backside third this yr.

Graves is an intriguing prospect who may fall into that vary.

Despite averaging 22.6 minutes as Santa Clara’s Sixth Man, the 19-year-old Graves led the crew in blocks and steals. The 6-foot-9 Graves will not be thought of an elite athlete, however his fast fingers and obvious basketball IQ make him a defensive playmaker at the ahead place. He shot 51% total, 41% from 3-point vary and 75% from the free-throw line as a freshman, a profile that ought to swimsuit Graves properly as a floor-spreader at the NBA degree.

Graves’ method to the sport matches what the Spurs are searching for as a complement to Wembanyama.

“Make all the dirty plays, be a hustle player, be that glue guy,” Graves mentioned.

Whether that’s sufficient to make him the Spurs’ subsequent first-round choose stays to be seen. Here is a take a look at different prospects on the Spurs’ board heading into Tuesday:

Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

On paper, the 6-foot-9 Quiantance seems to fill the Spurs’ want for a bouncy, muscular energy ahead kind.

His greatest query mark is certainly one of well being.

After struggling an ACL tear in his proper knee as a freshman at Arizona State, Quaintance — a former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American — transferred to Kentucky.

He appeared in 4 video games with the Wildcats earlier than being shut down for the season with lingering knee points. That medical chart is the important cause Quaintance will not be being hyped as a possible lottery choose.

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“The ups and downs that come with the season, it doesn’t always go as planned,” Quaintance instructed reporters at the NBA draft mix. “You’ve got to keep a level head, keep your eyes forward and keep the outside noise on the outside.”

If the Spurs can look previous the well being points, Quiantance has the potential to present large upside at the No. 20 choose.

A defensive-minded big man with top-shelf size and power, the 18-year-old Quinatance set an Arizona State freshman file for blocked photographs showing in solely 24 video games. He ought to waste little time contributing on that finish at the NBA degree, whereas additionally serving as a rim-running and lob menace on offense.

“My versatility and the way I move is different from a lot of bigs,” Quaintance mentioned.

Chris Cenac Jr, F/C, Houston

The 6-foot-11 Cenac is properly conscious of the place his future NBA paychecks is likely to be cashed.

“I say defense for sure, being able to move my feet and guard the perimeter,” Cenac instructed reporters at the NBA draft mix. “Little grit areas of the game.”

Indeed, Cenac’s taking pictures numbers have been nothing to write house about in his lone school season at Houston. He averaged 9.5 factors, principally utilizing his 7-foot-5 wingspan and 240-pound body to get to the rim.

The 19-year-old Cenac has labored his approach into first-round conversations on the again of his defensive presence and rebounding progress.

Cenac’s season at Houston spent below the tutelage of Kelvin Sampson — a well-respected coach inside the Spurs’ partitions — solely helps his inventory in San Antonio.

Peat’s first title is a Hawaiian phrase that means “strong warrior.” That can be how Peat would describe his sport.

“I’m going to play hard every time I step on the court,” Peat instructed reporters at the NBA draft mix. “I play with a chip on my shoulder, and I feel like I always find a way to impact winning.”

The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Peat has been a winner at each degree. He owns 4 gold medals as a member of USA Basketball program. In his lone school season at Arizona, he was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman crew whereas starring throughout the Wildcats’ run to the Final Four.

Built like an NFL tight finish — his father Todd performed six NFL seasons, whereas his brother Andrus performed 11 — Peat possesses the measurement and power to battle on the inside in the NBA. At Arizona, he has showcased an uncanny capacity to end by way of contact and maintain his spots on the block.

Shooting might be a problem for Peat. He was 7-for-20 from 3-point vary final season and made solely 62.3% from the foul line. If the Spurs are nonetheless scarred from their failed experiment at turning Jeremy Sochan into a reliable offensive participant, Peat won’t be the selection.

Still, the Spurs will at all times worth character and successful. Peat is actually on their radar at No. 20.

“I’ve won my whole career,” Peat mentioned. “I feel like I can do that at the NBA stage as well.”

Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers

If Lopez goes wherever inside the prime 30 picks Tuesday, he’ll make historical past as the first Mexican-born participant chosen in the first spherical of the NBA draft.

It is a distinction the native of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, doesn’t take evenly.

“It’s definitely something I’m aware of,” Lopez instructed reporters at the NBA draft mix. “It’s a blessing. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s something I carry with a lot of pride.”

At age 14, Lopez left Mexico for Spain, the place he started his skilled profession. His previous two seasons have been spent with the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League, the place Lopez developed a repute as a lethal downhill rim attacker.

Now 19, the 6-foot-8 Lopez is prepared to make the leap to the NBA. He could possibly be out there when the Spurs are on the clock at No. 20.

Lopez believes his time in New Zealand has ready him for what’s to come at the NBA, the place he’s set to make historical past on draft day.

“It’s a really fast-paced league,” Lopez mentioned. “It’s a really physical league. It’s a league with great talent, players who have been in the NBA before. It’s a really high level.”

Other prospects value monitoring at No. 20: Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas; Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina; Tarris Reed Jr, C, Conn.; Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor; Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke.