The Spurs drafted three high-upside 19-year-olds on Thursday, with the hopes that one or more of their new prospects can help All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray reach new heights on the court — or perhaps replace him as the next face of the franchise, writes Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News.
San Antonio is hopeful that pesky ex-Baylor center Jeremy Sochan, selected with the ninth pick in the draft, sharpshooting wing Malaki Branham, and defensive-oriented guard Blake Wesley will all develop into solid contributors.
Given the fact that Murray is now an All-Star talent on a desirable below-market contract, Finger notes that the Spurs may be wary of giving the 25-year-old point guard a maximum contract extension that would pay in the neighborhood of $40MM annually. If the team decides Murray isn’t capable of being the best player on a title team, it may still look to move him for a solid haul and hope that one of the new players in this rebuild can become the team’s next All-Star.
There’s more out of the Lone Star State:
- The Spurs‘ front office is satisfied with its latest draft picks, per Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “We approach every draft trying to find the best available talent,” Spurs general manager Brian Wright said. “We walked away from this one feeling pretty good about what we ended up with. We had all three guys with draft grades inside of [the top] 20.” Osborn notes that the 6’8″ Sochan, a versatile defender honored as the 2022 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, was drafted with the highest pick the Spurs have used since 1997. “As you see now, teams playing smaller and guys being able to guard multiple positions, do different things on the floor,” Wright said. “We think he complements the group really well. He’s a connector, right? He connects you on both ends of the floor.”
- After the Rockets enjoyed a robust draft last week, adding three intriguing youngsters in the first round, the team is set to turn its attention to the futures of veteran guards John Wall and Eric Gordon, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Both players could be in the final season of their lucrative contracts: Wall’s deal expires in the summer of 2023, and Gordon has a non-guaranteed $20.9MM team option for the 2023/24 season. Feigen says that Gordon’s defensive skills may make him a solid trade target for contenders, but cautions that teams may temper their trade package offers given that Houston will be hoping to offload him for whatever offer they can finagle.
- Though new Rockets forward Tari Eason, selected with the No. 17 pick out of LSU, did not even start in college, he is confident he can excel in Houston, writes Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. A speedy, defensively-oriented 6’8″ forward with a 7’2″ wingspan, Eason noted that his emergence as something of a late-blooming prospect helped fuel him. “I’ve always had a pretty good defensive mindset just from my competitive nature from high school, even before then,” Eason said. “I wasn’t heavily recruited so I always carried that chip on my shoulder and that real edge that has helped me carry through.” Eason was not without some pedigree by the time he finished his NCAA tenure: he was voted the 2022 SEC Sixth Man of the Year and made the 2022 All-SEC First Team.
I don’t mind kicking timelines back but with a fully open future cap sheet there’s not much risk in overpaying a player like Murray a little to retain him. It’s going to be years before SAS has cap problems and if they build up wisely and maintain their future firsts they can still off-load the young Murray later if deemed they need an upgrade
I think an ext would be my first second and third priorities here. But given the Primmo pick and this years draft maybe a full punt down the road actually happens here w Murray and the Spurs. 2 firsts a +young player and not terrible salary filler is what I think market would be. Something a TON of teams would line up for
I think Murray has another level to get to like Leonard did when he left the Spurs. Time will tell. Spurs are a class organization. I would like to see them win again.
Would’ve been amazing to see Murray and Leonard on the Spurs right now. Offense. Defense. Add a big man and they’re looking at more rings. Always fun to ‘what if.’
SAS has been treading water for awhile now. Since Pop makes all the critical decisions on and off the court, it’s not surprising that the team’s direction will track his personal timeline. Signing Murray, if he had to, is a no-brainer. But he doesn’t right now (with 2 more years left on his deal), and if there’s been a theme to the last 3-4 years for SAS, it’s been make no decision before it’s time. Using this off season to gauge his market value is consistent with that theme. I don’t see a trade happening or being seriously discussed from SAS standpoint. That would be contrary to the theme.
Popovich wanted Irving once, maybe he will look at it now. Nets get Murray… Would Durant approve?
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Sochan is a center now? Early on, he fills a need for a 4 and is mobile enough.
Yeah, that’s not happening. That scenario would fall off the side of the planet.
Irving provided a short list once, with Spurs not on it. Then when asked, said Spurs okay. 2017
Yeah, when the Spurs were relevant and had Leonard and a supporting cast. This is 2022 and the Spurs had a top 10 pick. And personally, I don’t see the Spurs trading Murray, whom they have for two more years at a nice salary for Irving who is looking for max dollars. Irving is older, a bit eccentric, and doesn’t do as much as Murray does – defense, assists, rebounds, games played…and Murray drops 20+ ppg as well.
Murray got shots on a mediocre team. He does not shoot as well as Irving but plays better defense and more games.
Spurs cannot find a high-price “flagpole” veteran to go to Spurs. Popovich will not likely last a 5-year to either. He has to decide which can win a ‘ship for Spurs.
Spurs could also afford Durant with an even bigger trade.
Irving is low on options if he wants the 5-year. I don’t think he has any other. He is 3.5 years older than Murray, though the max would start a year earlier. Irving is more expensive before then, but Murray’s max is still just theoretical.
Murray max would start 24/25, cover 27-32 yo.
Irving max would start 23/24, cover 31-36 yo.
Pops by reputation does not like Irving’s type, but he has liked to acquire scorers then try to pressure them into an agressive all-around. Two words: Lee Nailon.
Please Eversley, get on the Eric Gordon sweepstakes. He’s perfect for the bench and we need more outside shooting.
It’s looking more & more like Murray is gonna be a Hawk soon
Seen a thread about Murray and how the Wizards should push hard for him.
Sign and Trade Bradley Beal away for picks and then get go for Murray.
Apparently Johnny Davis is going to be really good, Kuzma at the 3, Hachimura and KP.
All on a much more similar time line, Murray 25, Kuzma 26, Hachimura 24, and KP 26.
Murray running the show and leading the team. Davis the young up and comer, Kuzma the go to player, Hachimura the do it all guy and KP the second star. Still not an excellent side but probably a playoff team
Would remind me a lot of Wall leading and Beal the up and comer with a young Kelly Oubre and a foreign centre.