The San Antonio Spurs missed the NBA Playoffs in both 2019-20 and 2020-21 after making the playoffs for 22 consecutive seasons and winning five titles. The Spurs weren’t bad in either season, but gone are the days when they could (figuratively) roll out of bed with 50 victories and a respectable standing in the Western Conference standings. Despite this, the team has a good roster, a legendary head coach, and a lottery selection on the way to improve the roster’s talent.
With DeMar DeRozan set to approach free agency, the Spurs will have to make a huge choice, as the veteran winger has been the team’s leading shot creator since being acquired in the Kawhi Leonard trade. Aside from that and other free agent decisions like Patty Mills and Rudy Gay, the Spurs have a near-blank slate for their first pick, allowing them to seek the best available talent with minimal obstacles.
Josh Primo (No. 12 Overall), Grade: C-, Roster Needs: Lead shot creator, starting-caliber winger, general depth Josh Primo (No. 12 Overall), Grade: C-, Roster Needs: Lead shot creator, starting-caliber winger, general depth
The Spurs will always be the Spurs because no one knows what they’re doing. Just a few weeks ago, Primo was considered a second-round pick in certain circles. He’s been getting some helium lately, but it was still a shock when he won the lotto. Primo is definitely gifted, and if he had returned to Alabama in a bigger role, he could have been a consensus lottery choice in 2022. Make no mistake: I think this is way too high (and Moses Moody is still on the board, making things even worse), but Primo has potential.
