The San Antonio Spurs are set to pick 18th in the 2018 NBA Draft, their highest selection since the 1997 season when they selected Tim Duncan with the No. 1 overall pick. Since then, the Spurs have won five NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. Last season, the Spurs made it to the playoffs for the 21st straight season but fell to the Golden State Warriors in five games. This Draft is crucial as the Spurs might lose some key players, including Danny Green, Bryn Forbes, and Manu Ginobili. Also, the future of superstar Kawhi Leonard is bleak as he could be traded in the offseason.
There are some big names in the 2018 NBA Draft, but at No. 18, the Spurs have no chance of getting any of them.
Spurs could chase youngster
However, the Spurs could also get another young player who could emerge as a crucial future piece. According to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com, the Spurs could pursue guard Anfernee Simons of IMG Academy. Aside from the Spurs, Simons is also drawing interest from the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz. Draft Express has the Utah Jazz picking Simons at No. 21. At 6-foot-3, Simons has a 6-foot-9 wingspan, making him a threat on defense and rebounding.
In the past two Drafts, the Spurs took guards Dejounte Murray and Derrick White in the first round. Murray emerged as the Spurs starting point guard after Tony Parker faltered midway through the season.
Spurs eyeing Villanova players
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Spurs are also eyeing two Villanova players in the Draft -- Donte DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman.
Pompey reported that DiVincenzo met with the Spurs during the Combine. Aside from the Spurs, DiVincenzo also met with the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. DiVincenzo made a mark in the championship game where he scored 31 points off the bench. Last season, DiVincenzo averaged 13.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 40 games.
In 85 games, DiVincenzo averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Spellman, for his part, was the starting power forward for Villanova last season, averaging 10.9 points, eight rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. DiVincenzo could replace Green, Forbes or Ginobili while Spellman could become Spurs’, backup big man.
