The San Antonio Spurs have built a renowned reputation for their ability to find and develop talent through the NBA draft. However, like any team, their history includes not only success stories but also regrettable choices. Examining their draft history since the selection of Tim Duncan reveals five particularly disappointing picks that failed to meet expectations.
1. **Joshua Primo, 2021 Pick #12**:
Primo’s selection is regarded as one of the most unfortunate decisions in recent Spurs history. Expected to fill a void at point guard, he managed an average of 5.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game before off-court issues led to him being effectively out of the league by the age of 20. The Spurs missed out on standout players like Alperen Sengun and Trey Murphy III, who were drafted shortly after him.
2. **Nikola Milutinov, 2015 Pick #26**:
Milutinov is another example of a first-round choice that never took the court in an NBA game. The Spurs essentially used this pick as a draft-and-stash option, hoping he would develop abroad. His failure to transition to the NBA proved to be a costly decision, highlighting the complexities associated with foreign players.
3. **Livio Jean-Charles, 2013 Pick #28**:
A similar story unfolded with Jean-Charles, who also failed to play an NBA game after being drafted. Though he spent some time with the Spurs during their Summer League, he quickly returned to Europe, marking a significant miss for the franchise.
4. **Luka Samanic, 2019 Pick #19**:
Samanic represented another gamble on an overseas talent that did not pan out. Although he had an encouraging start in Europe, his NBA career was stunted, averaging just 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds before being released by the Spurs.
5. **James Anderson, 2010 Pick #20**:
The Spurs believed Anderson would seamlessly transition from a successful college career at Oklahoma State, where he was an All-Big 12 selection, to the NBA. Unfortunately, he struggled to make his mark, leading to him being traded after only a few years.
While the Spurs have historically excelled in the draft, these five selections highlight the inherent risks that come with scouting young talent. Each player’s experience serves as a learning opportunity for the organization, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation and consideration of each player’s fit within the team. Despite these past errors, the Spurs have a proven track record for developing talent, which keeps fans hopeful for a brighter future filled with promising draft selections.