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2019 NBA Draft: Top 3 players for San Antonio Spurs to select with 29th pick

By Trevor Marks

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers leads a fastbreak up the court against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers leads a fastbreak up the court against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – FEBRUARY 17: Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers shoots over Nicolas Claxton #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the basketball game at Stegeman Coliseum on February 17, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – FEBRUARY 17: Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers shoots over Nicolas Claxton #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the basketball game at Stegeman Coliseum on February 17, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

2. Nic Claxton, 6-11 center – Georgia

A fringe first-rounder heading into the 2019 NBA Draft Combine because of a wild mix of length and fluidity at the center position, Georgia’s Nic Claxton gave scouts and executives more of what they’d already seen up to this point but in even more concentrated doses. Standing just a hair under 7-feet with a gaudy 7-3 wingspan and 9-2 standing reach, Claxton used his length, lateral agility, unique coordination and quick second jump to serve as an absolute menace on the defensive end, racking up 11 blocks and four steals in 42 minutes while switching onto the perimeter with ease. His ability to mirror shooters for contests/blocks is super, super appealing for NBA teams, since it’s hard to find players with preternatural defensive instincts and timing, especially at his age.

His limited offensive arsenal was on full display, however, going 3-of-8 from the field and accruing a meager seven points. He did manage to knock down a three, which is promising for his potential to shoot it in the future, but his lack of talent and feel on offense was apparent (outside of a few strong pushes in transition thanks to decent passing and ball handling), as was his significant lack of strength and girth (217 pounds) down in the paint. His defensive versatility and ability to move the ball on offense makes him worthy of a late-first or early-second selection, but his offensive shortcomings and complete lack of strength right now render him as a true project to whoever drafts him in June.

Could that team be the Spurs? Both parties have already met with one another, and the interest seems mutual. Claxton was impressed by the progressive makeup of San Antonio’s staff, and the Spurs were likely impressed by the charismatic, smiley nature of Georgia’s prideful center. Without young centers on the roster that project as serious rim-protectors and switch-defenders, Claxton fills a significant need for a Spurs defense that merely ranked 20th (110.5) this past season due to the use of several subpar athletes on the perimeter and in the paint.

Unfortunately for both the Spurs and Claxton, he’s nowhere close to being ready to bang with NBA-caliber strength, so he’ll need to spend a couple seasons playing down in the G League, where he can work with training staffs to bulk up and work on his skills as a player. The shooting potential is fascinating, as is his ability to put the ball on the deck in grab-and-go situations, including his ability to run the offense for short spurts, as seen from time to time on a talentless Georgia team where he was forced into playing point-center.

San Antonio drafted a raw prospect just two years ago — Dejounte Murray — and helped hone his skills and intelligence to the point of him becoming a strong rotation player with flashes of elite defense. Could Nic Claxton be the next project that Gregg Popovich takes on?

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