9) San Antonio Spurs-Kon Knueppel
With two lottery picks in this year's draft, the San Antonio Spurs have two issues that need to be addressed, and they can potentially resolve them here. The two biggest issues involve their lack of shooting and their lack of a backup center.
Fortunately, they can resolve both of those issues or work to resolve those issues here. Shooting is the bigger priority and the reason why the Spurs should select Kon Knueppel at 9. Knueppel is seen as being one of the best knockdown shooters in his draft class, drilling 38.3% of his 5.7 3-point attempts per game.
That alone should warrant attention given his shooting volume, while his shot variety is also promising. He isn't just a spot-up threat; he can knock down threes running off screens, which would be useful in the Spurs rotation with them not having a shooter of his caliber on their roster.
Better still, he is a good team defender, with him being able to hold his own on that end, with his size at 6'7 also being a plus. The Spurs are becoming increasingly expensive, with Devin Vassell making nearly $30 million and De'Aaron Fox's pending extension.
Therefore, having a cheap young prospect who can step in and contribute is a must. Knueppel would be given a cheap offensive weapon on the wing who can space the floor, defend his position, and could grow into a larger role with the Spurs.
10) San Antonio Spurs (via the Hawks)—Rasheer Fleming
The Spurs will get a second crack at drafting in the lottery, and they should go big with this pick. As a result, Rasheer Fleming should be their choice. Fleming has filled up the stat sheet for Saint Joseph, averaging 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and an impressive 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals.
His combination of size at 6'9, athleticism, and length with a 7'5 arm span is intriguing. Better still, he is just 20 and can space the floor, shooting 39% from deep on 4.4 attempts per game.
Rasheer Fleming is a prototype for what NBA teams are looking for in a big man at St. Joe's, making 44% of his 3s and racking up highlight reel plays galore with dunks, rebounds, steals and blocks thanks to his 7'5 wingspan.. pic.twitter.com/w7QKYFnZas
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 14, 2025
As a result, he should have no problem playing power forward in the NBA, and his length and leaping ability should ensure that he can play some center. It just so happens that the Spurs could use help at both spots going forward. Harrison Barnes has been a perfect fit at power forward, playing alongside Victor Wembanyama, but is only under contract through the end of next season.
He is also 32, and while Jeremy Sochan would seem like the ideal power forward pairing with Wembanyama, they really only make sense on defense. Offensively, Sochan doesn't have enough offensive skills to draw defensive attention away from Wembanyama. That increases the need for an alternative option at the four, and Fleming could fit well next to Wembanyama.
He can serve as a roll man while Wembanyama spots up, or Fleming can space the floor while Wemby works in the paint. Defensively, his length and mobility are disruptive and, paired with Wembanyama, would be a problem. Factor in that can help them fill a need at backup center, and Fleming makes too much sense for the Spurs.
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