Spurs Take Scary Scoring Machine to Pair up with Victor Wembanyama in Intriguing ESPN Mock Draft

The San Antonio Spurs just completed their inaugural season with Victor Wembanyama, who lived up to the hype and even clinched the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award. He was also a close second to Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves for Defensive Player of the Year.

Now, the Spurs have an opportunity to secure more top NBA prospects with two picks in the top 10 of the 2024 NBA Draft. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony predicts they’ll select Dalton Knecht from the Tennessee Volunteers at eighth overall (via the Toronto Raptors).

Givony suggests that after addressing their point guard needs with the fourth pick, the Spurs should focus on adding scoring prowess to complement Wembanyama’s offensive abilities. With Wembanyama poised for future MVP contention, selecting Knecht, a 23-year-old sharpshooter, seems like a strategic move to enhance the team’s competitiveness.

Knecht’s defensive limitations could be offset by playing alongside Wembanyama, a potential future Defensive Player of the Year. Givony also projects the Spurs using their fourth pick on Rob Dillingham from the Kentucky Wildcats.

Dalton Knecht Could be an Intriguing NBA Draft Target by the San Antonio Spurs

At 23 years old, Knecht might be considered relatively mature for a prospect, but the Spurs seem content with that. Having a skilled scorer alongside Wembanyama could significantly enhance the Spurs’ offense, which struggled this season, ranking 22nd in the NBA with 112.1 points per game and 28th with a 34.7 percent success rate from beyond the three-point line.

During his sole season with the Vols, Knecht maintained an average of 21.7 points, shooting at 45.8 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from long range. He also clinched both the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Newcomer of the Year awards, following his transfer from North Colorado to Tennessee.