NEWSLETTER
2024 NBA Mock Draft: San Antonio Spurs – The NBA is shaking things up this year with a new draft format for the 2024 season. The 78th annual draft will be spread over two nights, marking the first time since the league standardized the draft to two rounds in the late 1980s. Instead of the previous single-night spectacle, the draft will now take place on June 26th at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for the first round, followed by the second round on June 27th at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in Manhattan.
In the second round, there will be an extended time allotment between picks, increasing from two minutes to four. Similar to the past two years, the draft will comprise 58 picks instead of the usual 60 as a result of tampering penalties imposed on the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: San Antonio Spurs
Surrounding Victor Wembanyama with talented playmakers and shooters should be the Spurs’ priority, both now and in the long term. The lack of a true point guard or someone capable of giving Wembanyama and company easy looks is a massive offseason priority, and adding a player who fits that mold in the draft is very possible, with the Spurs sitting at picks no. 4 and 8.
After the San Antonio Spurs make their fourth pick, the draft order will be as follows: Detroit Pistons at 5, Charlotte Hornets at 6, and Portland Trail Blazers at 7. These three teams already have their key guards in Cade Cunningham, LaMelo Ball, and Scoot Henderson. If the Spurs select a wing player at four, they could potentially find a suitable guard option at 8. Will they take that risk?
San Antonio Spurs 2024 NBA Mock Draft – Pick No. 4
Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
Position: PG/SG
Size: 6’3″, 176 lbs
Age/Year: 19, Freshman
Nationality: American
Pro Comparison (per The Ringer): Lou Williams, Bones Hyland
Although there are concerns about Rob Dillingham’s shot selection and his defensive awareness, his exceptional offensive skills make him an appealing choice for the Spurs with their first pick. He would be an easy choice if he’s still available with their second top-eight selection.
Dillingham has a unique combination of creativity and scoring ability in this draft class. He excels as a secondary ball-handler, as shown by his impressive 47.8% shooting off the catch, indicating that he could complement a more traditional point guard if the Spurs are considering someone in free agency or are able to land one with pick no. 8.
However, there are doubts about Dillingham’s listed weight of only 176 pounds at Kentucky. If Dillingham can show sufficient strength and conditioning, the Spurs may find it difficult to overlook his dynamic offensive potential.
San Antonio Spurs 2024 NBA Mock Draft – Pick No. 8
Nikola Topić – KK Crvena Zvezda
Position: PG
Size: 6’6 “, 198 lbs
Age/Year: 18
Nationality: Serbian
Pro Comparison (per The Ringer): Goran Dragić
Topić’s stock briefly dropped following a knee injury that kept him out of action for several months. However, his recent comeback with KK Crvena Zvezda has sparked renewed excitement. His exceptional dribbling, court vision, and ideal passing height make him an excellent candidate to lead the Spurs’ offense and provide quality opportunities for Wembanyama.
In addition to facilitating for his teammates, Topić brings a skill set that the San Antonio backcourt currently lacks – the ability to apply pressure on the defense. His confidence in taking jump shots and consistent free-throw shooting at around 80% demonstrate a developing offensive arsenal.
Although his overall shooting percentages have not been remarkable, his willingness to shoot and positive results in his first game back indicate potential for improvement. While the Spurs may prioritize a scorer, Topić’s overseas performance, compatibility with Wembanyama, and potential as a scorer make him a compelling option for San Antonio at the top of the draft.
2024 NBA draft order: First Round
1. Atlanta Hawks
2. Washington Wizards
3. Houston Rockets (via BKN)
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Charlotte Hornets
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR)
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Utah Jazz
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via GS)
15. Miami Heat
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. Los Angeles Lakers
18. Orlando Magic
19. Toronto Raptors (via IND)
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL)
22. Phoenix Suns
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NO)
24. New York Knicks (via DAL)
25. New York Knicks
26. Washington Wizards (via LAC)
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
28. Denver Nuggets
29. Utah Jazz (via OKC)
30. Boston Celtics
