Vembanyama kicks off for the Yankees! No pressure compared to Zhan Huang, how will the Spurs build a team around him?

This article was compiled from: CBS Sports

Written by Sam Quinn

原标题：How will the Spurs build a roster around Victor Wembanyama? Their options are virtually limitless

On June 21, Beijing time, top favorite Wen Banyama appeared at the home of the New York Yankees, wearing No. 5, waving a bat and signing autographs for fans. The baseball was too small in his hands. Subsequently, he kicked off for the Yankees. In two days, the NBA Draft will be officially held, and Venbanyama is expected to be selected by the Spurs with the first overall pick. How will the Spurs build around him? CBS sports expert Sam Quinn said the team's choice is just too rich.

Previously responding to being called the most promising player since James, Venbanyama said he was not under pressure: "Because when they say that, it's not like a reward." ”

The Spurs are the best team for Venbanyama and Popovich has a wealth of experience coaching big men. There is no doubt that Bunbanyama is the core of the Spurs' future team, how will they build a championship-winning lineup around Bunban?

The needs of the Spurs

Trae Jones made great strides last season, but point guards remain the Spurs' top need right now. If your starting point guard is a career player shooting 27.1% from three-point range and has mediocre organizational skills, you need to upgrade. After all, Venbanyama is not a big guy who is as good at organizing as Jokic.

Poeltl would have been a good fit to partner Bunban, but he has been sent to the Raptors by the Spurs. Now, Venbanyama is more likely to partner Sohan, but the striker is on the short side and may struggle to defend the taller interior. Sohan is not a shooter, but as a defender, rebounder and playmaker, he is more versatile. The Spurs' Vassell and Johnson are well-rounded players who will be good helpers for Venbanyama.

The Spurs' draft

In addition to the top picks, the Spurs' other draft picks this season are relatively low, with the No. 33 and No. 44 picks in place. However, it is difficult to find players who contribute quickly in the second round. The Spurs' real flexibility lies in the other teams they have in the future — first-round picks —

2024 Hornets first-rounder, Raptors first-rounder; 2025 Hawks first-rounder, Bulls first-rounder; first-round swap with the Hawks in 2026; The Hawks in the first round in 2027 and the Greens in 2028.

Of course, their draft assets are not as good as the Thunder, but the gap is not huge. This includes five first-round rounders and two swap picks. If the Spurs can make proper use of these draft picks, they can theoretically get a lot of signings. They need to be patient and shoot in the best conditions.

Free agent market

The Spurs have $37 million in space, though the point guard market is relatively light, and the Spurs could pursue VanVleet if they wish, but competition is expected to be fierce and whether it makes sense to sign a 29-year-old player before Venbanyama officially joins.

If the Spurs want to solve the point guard problem through free agency, it's really hard. In addition to VanVleet, there is Irving, but Irving is not expected to have a good impact on young players. Next, Russell, Beverley, Schroder and Wilson, who played for the Lakers. For all sorts of reasons, it doesn't make sense to introduce them. The only viable option is Vincent for the Heat, which may be relatively accessible because the Heat have a luxury tax problem and the goal is Lillard. Paul is a potential target, but he is unlikely to want to come to San Antonio.

If the Spurs are going to spend the money on the frontcourt, Gwey is a potential option, along with Hachimura and Brooke Lopez, and the Spurs could even try to reclaim Poeltl from the Raptors. They need to look for players who are suitable for Venbanyama.

Trading markets

In the short term, their goal is still to find a point guard, and if Lowry is bought, signing him with a base salary is also a good option. If you look at long-term options, Rozier of the Hornets is a good target, along with Brogdon of the Celtics. With Venbanyama on the team, the Spurs are indeed rich in options, and it will be up to them to take advantage of this opportunity to re-emerge.