San Antonio Spurs: 2019 NBA Draft grades

Drafting Quinndary Weatherspoon with the No. 49 pick

During the 2019 NBA Draft, the Spurs selected numerous players that have similarities to players they already have.

The play style of Luka Samatic is similar — in theory at least — to Davis Bertans. In Keldon Johnson’s catch-and-shoot ability and slashing, are correlations to Quincy Pondexter and Rudy Gay.

Quinndary Weatherspoon figures to be in a similar position, and in a crowded San Antonio backcourt, Weatherspoon could likely have trouble fighting for a roster spot. To list off a few of the notable benefits (or perhaps setbacks in some cases) to his game:

• Intriguing size for his preferred position – shooting guard – at 6-foot-4, and an imposing 6-foot-9 wingspan. Could match up well for the Spurs against point guards. Though, against bigger, physical shooting guards, he could struggle.

Does that not already describe what the Spurs get out of Bryn Forbes? The 3-year vet gives up a few inches with his 6-foot-5 wingspan, though he serves as a key, floor spacing beneficiary, who, though physical, gives up a bit too much on defense.

• Incredibly efficient at putting the ball in the net, so much so that he ranked 2nd among all SEC players in scoring at 18.5 points per game. His field-goal percentage improved in every year from his freshman season to his senior season. He feels like a hand-in-glove fit in San Antonio with his catch-and-shoot prowess, including a 1.63 points per catch (which puts him in the elite, 99th percentile).

That sounds a lot like both Forbes, and Patty Mills, who hits on 1.35 points per shot at the professional level, and if that doesn’t sound convincing, maybe this will. Of players with 150 or more shots in this setting, Mills ranked 2nd, per Pounding the Rock.

The numbers tell an endless story. Weatherspoon personifies that underdog saga. He’s entering the NBA coming from a college where only 17 players have ever stood a fighter’s chance —  including only one current player in Rodney Hood.

Most outlets saw him as either a fringe pick, or unlikely to be picked at all. Yet, here he is.

The simple fact: there’s a lot to like about Weatherspoon – there’s just not a lot to like about him on the Spurs. At 6-foot-4, the transition to forward could take time, and make him a long-term project.

For that reason, even taking a chance on Jontay Porter could have made more sense, as discussed by Air Alamo‘s Ethan Farina.

The Spurs prepared well, but after signing two first-round selections, push could come to shove.

The Spurs presumably should have the cap, unless they become targets for lower-tier free agents, which could mean Weatherspoon either becomes the odd man out, or spends ample time in the G-League.

Grade: C-