San Antonio Spurs: 2018 NBA Draft grades

Overall

In summary, the Spurs appear to have continued their drafting success by picking two players with huge upside at different positions. Metu will help shore up the weak center position and add some much needed shot-blocking, and Walker will help provide the quickness and scoring punch that the Spurs sometimes lack.

Even if only one of these picks pans out, it will still be a success for a team that is a perennial force in the Western Conference. With the Spurs’ future up in the air after the most recent news that Kawhi Leonard wants to be traded, they will be forced to make some adjustments. With Leonard gone, a world of possibilities will open up for the Spurs during the free agency period. Hopefully, they will be able to stay competitive in the West while developing young talent and transitioning out of the Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili era.

Often times, draft picks do not pan out. Players may not fit well with an organization or a system, or injuries may cut short their development. These are intangibles that cannot be controlled, but what can be controlled is the environment these players are drafted into. San Antonio continues to be one of the most competent and well-respected franchises in the league, and with their track record of maximizing talent there is a good chance one or both of their 2018 NBA Draft picks crack the rotation this coming season.

As always, nothing is as simple as it seems, but if these young players can buy into Pop’s system then they will likely prove that this has been yet another successful draft for the Spurs.

Next: Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

Final Grade: A