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2017 NBA Draft: 5 potential steals

By Max Holm

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Malik Monk (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit jacket as he is introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Malik Monk (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit jacket as he is introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Draft
Feb 23, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) reacts during the second half against the Utah Utes at the Coors Events Center. The Utes defeated the Buffaloes 86-81. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Derrick White (No. 29) — San Antonio Spurs

There are a lot of “Spursy” picks, but few in recent memory seem as “Spursy” as Derrick White. As arguably the best organization when it comes to scouting, drafting and development, it’s no wonder the Spurs jumped on the chance to take Derrick White with the 29th pick.

An athletic combo guard who starred in his one year at Colorado, White is an older prospect. Most teams won’t go near that old of a player in the first round and that’s a mistake. Where worse GMs took unskilled big men, the Spurs took possibly the most skilled guard after the lottery.

White can do a little bit of everything from passing and shooting to rebounding and making plays on defense. He will probably only be average on the defensive end, but he’ll rack up steals and blocks. Steals and blocks will help the Spurs get out on the break and get easy buckets.

With a lot of doubt over the futures of Manu Ginobili, Jonathon Simmons, Tony Parker and Danny Green, White makes so much sense here. He could be the backcourt of the future alongside Dejounte Murray.

Given his ability to play on and off the ball, his versatility can suit any lineup Gregg Popovich wants to roll out. White will be 23 in July, but that’s no problem for a Spurs team that expects to return to the Western Conference Finals.