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2016 NBA Draft Needs For All 30 Teams

By Aaron Ferguson

Nov 16, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) slam dunks against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) slam dunks against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left to right) Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili (20) watch on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left to right) Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili (20) watch on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs

Picks Owned: 29

Father Time is catching up to Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, but fortunately for the San Antonio Spurs they have Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge playing at the top of their game. Along with Tony Parker and Danny Green, the Spurs will be poised for another playoff run next season.

The Spurs could look to build up their frontcourt with the possibility of Duncan retiring and Boban Marjanovic and David West leaving in free agency. That could lead to drafting a power forward or a center to play behind the Aldridge and Boris Diaw tandem.

The Spurs hold the 29th overall pick, and could trade up in the draft, according to Basketball Insider’s Alex Kennedy.

Perhaps the Spurs would take a chance on two young prospects, Thon Maker or Diamond Stone. Maker is taking a rare prep-to-NBA route and will be the first player to do so since Satnam Singh Bhamara in 2015. The last player to reach the NBA out of high school was Amir Johnson, who was drafted in 2005.

Maker is an athletic power forward that will make an impact on the defensive end when he enters the league. His offensive game has uncertainties, but he is able to play above the rim. His strong work ethic, according to Draft Express‘ Jonathan Givony, should translate well with the Spurs, who can develop his game.

Stone is a true big man with a big body. His offensive game consists of playing with his back to the basket and using post moves. At Maryland, he showed unwillingness to pass out of a double team at times. Defensively, Stone has some work to do in terms of positioning, but he is a good on-ball defender.

The Spurs have options with the 29th pick. They can draft a player that can get some minutes off the bench and that they can develop, or they will have an opportunity to draft and stash an international prospect. The key for the Spurs is going to be drafting and developing talent for the future, as their core players grow another year older.

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