2018 NBA Draft: Biggest winners and losers

Winner: San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs selected two of the most Un-Spurs like players in the draft, and I love it. Saying that, I mean these are not your typical high-IQ players, but rather, they are high-level athletes. On the Spurs’ depleting and aging roster, they desperately need some young athletic legs.

With the 18th pick in the first round, the Spurs chose Lonnie Walker IV, a freshman wing from Miami. I really developed an infatuation with Walker’s game throughout his short college career. Many project Walker to be a boom-or-bust prospect. I do not agree with that statement, but I did think that Walker needed to go to a team that would be smart enough to develop his game in his first season.

Walker could not have gone to a better place. He’s an extremely athletic wing with a beautiful shot release that should make his transition to shooting NBA 3-pointers effortless. His explosive leaping ability should help him finish above the rim. Walker projects as one of the better complementary scorers in the league if he hits his ceiling. He does not see the game well and that is where the Spurs come in to help him reach his ceiling.

With the 49th pick, the Spurs decided to go with Chimezie Metu, the big man out of USC. Metu is a great athlete for his position, and was easily the best offensive big man on the board at this point in the draft. He has worked on his perimeter game throughout his career at USC. His rim protection has steadily declined throughout his career. If anybody can tap into his potential to contribute in the NBA, it is San Antonio.