As far as GM Cyrisnyte is concerned the choices are down to 3
The lottery Gods decided to smile down upon the San Antonio (not San Andreas) Spurs during the year's CSL lottery drawing. San Antonio, with a 7.5% chance of drawing the top spot jumped from the 7th slot all the way to the 1st. A team that changed GMs during midseason as Cyrisnyte returned to the CSL and had the chance to take over his beloved Spurs. Now though, the pressure of having the first overall pick is squarely on his shoulders and the fans want something special to happen here.
We caught up with Cyrisnyte and asked him what is the plan now that he has the coveted overall first pick. Here is what he had to say.
You know, we were thrilled when the commissioner opened that 2nd envelope and we saw the Hawks were there. Knowing we were receiving the first overall pick was quite intoxicating. We had done our due diligence and had scouted many of the lottery predicted players. So we feel very good about who we like as the overall first pick, for each scenario. See, the truth is we need to decide which direction this team is headed. We have a budding all-star caliber player in Zaccheus Darko-Kelly and we have the Shaquille Harrison to pair him with. Logically you would say grab the best big man and move on. Truth be told though, the best big is not ready yet to be a day 1 contributor on both ends according to our team of scouts. So this brings us to the decision we must make. It really boils down to the three choices in my opinion.
DOOR 1
Take the player who has the highest ceiling
Behind Door #1 you have Alex Antetokounmpo. Easy choice right? Not really. The Spurs have a very productive backcourt but that is about it. While they will be sitting on a ton of money for free agency, that is no guarantee that they will bring in talent. Do they waste another year in the careers of ZDK and Shaq while they keep their fingers crossed that Antetokounmpo can develop? Remember that a direct quote from the scout on Alex says this - "Alex is very raw and not yet ready to make any contribution at CSL level". Is this really someone that the Spurs can afford to take 1st overall? Calvin Coolidge once said - "Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent." Can the organization hitch their wagon to a player who seems to have a superstar potential but unsure if he will ever reach it?
DOOR 2
Low Risk, Low Reward?
Behind Door #2 you have players like Reggie Perry, Josh Giddey and Xavier Tillman. These are players that have already gone in the top 4 in the 2 current mock drafts, with Perry going #1 to the Spurs already in one of them. Do the Spurs play it safe here? Do they take a player like Xavier Tillman who is already considered by some to be an early front-runner for ROY honors? What about a massive swerve where the Spurs select Josh Giddey who has been called a triple-double threat from day one? This would close the gap on wasted years for ZDK and Shaq for sure. Would they be able to find some win now pieces in free agency to compliment the selection of one of these more polished players and make a push for the playoffs starting next season?
DOOR 3
What if an offer comes in for the 1st pick the Spurs can't pass on?
Behind Door #3 you have a sweetheart deal for the first overall pick. We have all seen it before when a team falls in love with a player and will give up the farm for a chance to have them. What if an offer comes in that makes the Spurs legitimate contenders at the start of next season? Rumors have swirled already that the Spurs have been contacted about the availability of the 1st overall pick. What if they can move that pick for a king's ransom? Remember this is a team with more holes in it than a slice of swiss cheese. How badly are the Spurs in win now mode having a solid backcourt?
So as you see, the Spurs need to choose wisely as this offseason get's prepared to start. As the Kings and Heat play for a CSL Championship, the Spurs are getting ready to make a play for their future.
2028