NBA Draft Matchmaker: San Antonio Spurs

In the coming weeks, let's try to play the role of NBA Draft matchmaker by matching teams with players, while of course taking into account where the players are expected to be selected next month.

(This may actually be the hardest part of this challenge.)

First up, of course, are the San Antonio Spurs. How could it not be? We're all looking at what the Spurs will do to build around Victor Wembanyama, and that starts with the June draft, where the Spurs will select four times, via No. 4, No. 4, No. 35 and No. 48 overall.

While second-round picks are just too unpredictable, especially due to the nature of this particular draft class, there is a somewhat set group of players positioned for the two lottery picks.

First up is Nikola Topić. Let's not mess around. We can all have fun thinking about giving Wembanyama a real winger or another great defensive player, but when it comes down to it, it's always been Nikola Topić.

Of course, you want a high-IQ ball-handler and playmaker alongside your generational center. Even though Topić is a bit on the raw side and will need a few years to get his outside shot in order, you roll the dice and hope his court vision, patience, and a wider NBA court will keep him afloat until he turns his game around.

Topić isn't a high-flyer, but that hasn't stopped him from being a consistent scoring threat near the basket, thanks in large part to his ability to slow down the pace and target his shots over bigger defenders. If he moves to the NBA, he'll have to adjust to defenders who are both bigger and stronger and who can sniff out delaying tactics earlier, and that's where a consistent mid-range jumper and late-game long-ball player will have to be stable for him as a secondary scoring option.

Although no official measurements have been released on him and there is still skepticism about whether or not he is a true 6'0″ player, there is no denying that he is still a big point guard who will be able to monitor defenses and identify patterns. Due to the fact that his handle and passing instincts are so advanced, Topić may have the potential to be a nightmare matchup at this point due to his size.

The biggest question about Topić isn't even whether he's a good fit for Wembanyama or not, but rather, “Is he available?” when Spurs make their selection. If the Wizards took him at No. 2, no one would bat an eyelid.

Next up for the Spurs is their second lottery pick at No. 8, where two players stand out. Reed Sheppard of Kentucky and Cody Williams of Colorado.

And yes, Sheppard should still be considered even if the Spurs select Topić at No. 4.

How come? The shooting, the movement, the passing, and the defensive edge. If Sheppard were 6'1″, he would probably be competing for the No. 1 pick in the draft simply because he doesn't have any major weaknesses in his game.

However, since he is 1.90 meters tall and is not necessarily a true point guard, his path will be a little more treacherous. While he can spend the next few years shaping himself into a genuine primary defender, he will always have such a strong goal-scoring ability that he will inevitably be used as a distance player on the ground off the ball.

Even if the Spurs have Topić and Devin Vassell, having a combo guard who can hit outside shots at a high level, act as a playmaker and protect his butt would be a huge asset, even if he does that primarily be sixth man.

(In normal years, selecting a sixth man at No. 8 might be asking too much, but in this draft, it would be an easier sell.)

Williams is very different. Offensively, he is much less experienced than Sheppard, but he is bigger, more versatile in his positions and plays a big wing position that is much more important for NBA teams.

Standing at 6'11″, with a 7'10″ wingspan and considerable athletic ability, Williams could be a powerful two-ender, bridging the gap between the backcourt and the frontcourt. His size and ability to transform both near the rim and from the outside gives Wembanyama plenty of freedom to move alongside him, with Williams able to play wherever the Frenchman sets up camp.

With two lottery picks, the Spurs certainly have several options this year.

Unless otherwise stated, all statistics on NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the glass or Basketball reference. All salary information about Spotrac. All Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sports Betting.

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