The San Antonio Spurs are gearing up for the NBA Draft, and with a week to go, the front office is busy hosting workout prospects. With four picks in the draft, the Spurs are in a prime position to add young talent to their roster. The focus is on players who can contribute to future championships, and the workouts are a crucial step in that process.
One player who has already made an impression is Allen Graves, a 6'8" power forward/center from Santa Clara. Graves' defensive instincts and three-point shooting make him an attractive prospect. While he may not be physically imposing, his smart positional defense and aggression on the defensive end are valuable assets. Offensively, Graves profiles as a connective playmaker and pick-and-pop threat, which aligns with the Spurs' need for a big four who can defend, pass, and shoot.
However, Graves' lack of physicality and interior finishing may limit his immediate impact. The Spurs are likely to take a flyer on him, as he could provide a stretch big option alongside Victor Wembanyama. Chris Cenac Jr., a 6'10" power forward/center from Houston, is another player who has worked out for the Spurs. Cenac Jr. was a highly regarded high-school prospect, but his freshman season at Houston was underwhelming. He is a project big man with high defensive potential, and the Spurs believe in his upside. Cenac Jr. could be an ideal fit alongside Wembanyama, with his athleticism, rebounding, and potential floor spacing.
Tarris Reed, a 6'10" power forward/center from UConn, is a bruising big man who thrives on contact. Reed Jr. is not a versatile player, but his physicality and athleticism in the paint are valuable. The Spurs could take a flyer on him in the second round to add front-court depth and physicality. Zuby Ejiofor, a 6'8" power forward from St. John's, is an enforcer who is strong and versatile on defense. His offensive role is questionable, but his high motor and physicality make him an intriguing second-round pick.
Alex Karaban, a 6'7" wing from UConn, is a proven shooter who has been linked to the Spurs for the last three draft cycles. His upside is clear, and he would add depth to the Spurs' wing shooters. Felix Okpara, a 6'10" center from Tennessee, is a two-way contract candidate with an NBA body, athleticism, and defensive motor. The Spurs have been lacking a solid two-way big man, and Okpara could fill that void.
Wyatt Fricks, a 6'9" power forward from Marshall, is a stretch four who hit a good number of threes. Michael Ajayi, a 6'7" small forward/power forward from Butler, is a good wing athlete with a high motor on both ends. MJ Collins, a 6'3" guard from Utah State, can fill it up as a scoring guard, but his assists and defense may limit his NBA prospects. Tre Donaldson, a 6'3" guard from Miami, had a reputation as a defensive guard, but his size and scoring questions may keep him undrafted.
Barry Dunning Jr., a 6'6" wing from Pittsburg, is a former Alabama high-school star turned college basketball journeyman. William Kyle III, a 6'9" forward from Syracuse, put up impressive numbers in his senior season with his pogo-stick athleticism. Robert McCray V, a 6'4" guard from Florida State, is a hard-nosed guard with burst and athleticism. The Spurs have a lot of options to choose from, and the workouts are a crucial step in identifying the best fit for their roster.
In my opinion, the Spurs should focus on players who can contribute immediately and provide depth in key areas. Graves, Cenac Jr., and Reed Jr. are all intriguing prospects, but their immediate impact may be limited. Ejiofor and Karaban are proven shooters who can add depth, while Okpara and Fricks have the potential to develop into solid two-way players. The Spurs should also consider undrafted free agents like Donaldson and Dunning Jr., who have intriguing pedigrees and could provide value off the bench.
Overall, the Spurs have a strong group of prospects to choose from, and the workouts are a crucial step in identifying the best fit for their roster. With a week to go until the draft, the front office has a lot of work to do, but the potential for a strong future is there.
