San Antonio Spurs 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, our San Antonio Spurs Mock Draft Roundup will highlight recent picks for the San Antonio Spurs from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Spurs:
10. Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
France's Noa Essengue ranks fourth-best among all players in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among those with at least five games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. He ranks ninth-best in Player Efficiency Rating (23.1) among all qualified players in the Eurocup, via RealGM. He is also the second-youngest player in the draft.
11. Kon Knueppel, Duke
Duke's Kon Knueppel is a trustworthy wing who is impactful on spot-up possessions and when using off-ball screens. He plays winning basketball as the Blue Devils have outscored opponents by 293 points when Knueppel is on the court this season, per CBB Analytics, which is the highest plus-minus among all freshmen.
10. Tre Johnson, Texas
Every pick San Antonio makes should be about what's best around Wemby, and Johnson has some shot-making and scoring punch that could help lighten the load for the sophomore sensation. If the Spurs think they can get him to buy into being a more willing ball-mover, cutter and defender, this pick could make a lot of sense.
12. Boogie Fland, Arkansas
If the Spurs look to solidify the point guard spot, Fland gives them the shooting necessary to space the floor around Wemby. He's added an extra dimension of burst to his game this year and proven he's capable of creating for others. Building up his body will be a requisite to withstanding the physicality of the next level.
Bleacher Report — Jonathan Wasserman
10. Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
While there's debate about translatability with Ben Saraf, he's reaching rare levels of production, consistency and efficiency (for an 18-year-old in Germany) that will force top-10 teams to ruminate.
Averaging 14.0 points and 4.8 assists (63.3 percent FG) over Ulm's last five games, he's picking the right spots to attack, hitting his mid-range shots and moving the ball with live-dribble passes and basic reads.
Given the effectiveness of his creativity and shotmaking—at his age in Germany's top league with solid 6'5" size for an NBA ball-handler—his draft case continues to look more persuasive by the month.
Averaging 14.0 points and 4.8 assists (63.3 percent FG) over Ulm's last five games, he's picking the right spots to attack, hitting his mid-range shots and moving the ball with live-dribble passes and basic reads.
Given the effectiveness of his creativity and shotmaking—at his age in Germany's top league with solid 6'5" size for an NBA ball-handler—his draft case continues to look more persuasive by the month.
13. Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin (France)
Context is still important when evaluating 18-year-old point guard Nolan Traore, who's struggling to make shots in Pro A. His 44.5 assist percentage would lead all current NCAA freshmen. Traore's passing and playmaking feel represent his moneymakers at the NBA level.
And he does add a valued element of creation with his ball-handling and speed.
Scouts have cooled on Traore, however, as more questions arise over his shooting and lack of explosion around the basket. He's down to 53.1 percent at the rim, 5-of-25 on floaters and 25.8 percent on threes.
And he does add a valued element of creation with his ball-handling and speed.
Scouts have cooled on Traore, however, as more questions arise over his shooting and lack of explosion around the basket. He's down to 53.1 percent at the rim, 5-of-25 on floaters and 25.8 percent on threes.
11. Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Saraf is one of my personal favorites in this class. He emerged on the scene quickly this summer, winning the MVP award of the Under-18 European Championships while posting multiple 40-point games and averaging five assists. He then came over to Portland to play in a preseason NBA game and showed up well. He scored 16 points while hitting 3 of 5 from 3 and showed real passing acumen even though he only ended up with two assists. There are worries here, particularly around Saraf's jumper (a lefty shot that comes out of his hand a bit flat at times) and his defensive ability (although I like his instincts and playmaking ability on that end).
He's averaging 12.5 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the field in a pro league in Germany, while also dishing out 4.2 assists per game. He thinks the game at an incredibly high level. Teams will want to learn where they think his body is, and how much improvement can be made to his overall athleticism and explosiveness once he gets into a real strength-training program.
He's averaging 12.5 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the field in a pro league in Germany, while also dishing out 4.2 assists per game. He thinks the game at an incredibly high level. Teams will want to learn where they think his body is, and how much improvement can be made to his overall athleticism and explosiveness once he gets into a real strength-training program.
14. Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Scouts remain impressed by Essengue, a forward from France playing with Saraf in Germany. Scouts got to see these two up close when Ulm traveled to Portland to play the Trail Blazers this year, with Essengue scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds with a strong second half. The idea here is a big, versatile wing who is younger than anyone in the draft class other than Flagg who has already been productive playing at 17 in a solid professional league. He's active and switchable on defense, with serious coordination and mobility for his size. Offensively, scouts wonder exactly what the best position for him is. Because he struggles to shoot it, Essengue often looks more like a center right now as opposed to an NBA wing. He's at his best playing with a motor and aggressiveness on the glass, which he consistently does. However, he would also be quite undersized for the center position. He's so young that it is tough to tell exactly where he's going to settle in. However, there's clearly upside athletically at this size. Essengue's range is a bit wide when you talk to scouts, but the ones who like him tend to really like him.
17. Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
Sorber has been among the most productive freshmen in the country, and scouts are fascinated to see how he performs in Big East play. Sorber's stats jump off the page — he's averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks. However, the numbers do fall off a bit against better competition. Sorber was averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field in his first six games against high-majors; he put up 11 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks Tuesday against No. 7 Marquette. Listed at 6-10, Sorber will be undersized for the center position in the NBA, and scouts are a bit skeptical he'll actually come in at that size without shoes once he gets a full measurement at the combine.
The name that comes up a bit with him is Xavier Tillman. Sorber is relatively below-the-rim and struggles to shoot from distance, which has led scouts to wonder what exactly the role is on offense beyond being able to short-roll and pass. However, much like Tillman, Sorber is terrific positionally on defense and seems to have very high-level reaction time. Sorber might end up being a multi-year guy, or he might end up being a one-and-done. But he's been superb for Georgetown.
The name that comes up a bit with him is Xavier Tillman. Sorber is relatively below-the-rim and struggles to shoot from distance, which has led scouts to wonder what exactly the role is on offense beyond being able to short-roll and pass. However, much like Tillman, Sorber is terrific positionally on defense and seems to have very high-level reaction time. Sorber might end up being a multi-year guy, or he might end up being a one-and-done. But he's been superb for Georgetown.
10. Tre Johnson, Texas
Potentially equipped with three first-round picks, the Spurs should have an opportunity to stockpile young talent, or consolidate some of their draft capital to move around if they choose. The offensively gifted Johnson has continued to look like a lottery talent, shouldering a big role at Texas and making 40% of his 3s.
He's a sweet shooter who can make tough shots and projects to be a threat away from the ball, as well. The primary concern is what else Johnson will do to supply value. He isn't known for making teammates better as a passer and is often content to hunt shots regardless of the situation. He also doesn't contribute much defensively.
Teams are curious if Johnson can break some of those habits and round out his game, but his sheer scoring talent has continued to make him a lottery candidate. -- Woo
He's a sweet shooter who can make tough shots and projects to be a threat away from the ball, as well. The primary concern is what else Johnson will do to supply value. He isn't known for making teammates better as a passer and is often content to hunt shots regardless of the situation. He also doesn't contribute much defensively.
Teams are curious if Johnson can break some of those habits and round out his game, but his sheer scoring talent has continued to make him a lottery candidate. -- Woo
14. Liam McNeeley, Connecticut
This pick would remain with Chicago if it falls inside the top 10, but the Bulls have inched closer to .500 over the past month, making it more feasible that San Antonio could receive it.
McNeeley injured his ankle Jan. 1 and is slated to miss at least the next few weeks. A 26-point performance in a win against Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden was the high watermark of his season. Despite some offensive inconsistency, McNeeley's winning impact is easy to appreciate.
His ability to play a connective role, as a smart passer, capable shooter (37% from 3) and opportunistic scorer with size on the wing, will be attractive to NBA teams as a potential long-term supporting piece. Scouts have told ESPN they'd like to see him be a bit more efficient, but he has acclimated well to the college game. -- Woo
McNeeley injured his ankle Jan. 1 and is slated to miss at least the next few weeks. A 26-point performance in a win against Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden was the high watermark of his season. Despite some offensive inconsistency, McNeeley's winning impact is easy to appreciate.
His ability to play a connective role, as a smart passer, capable shooter (37% from 3) and opportunistic scorer with size on the wing, will be attractive to NBA teams as a potential long-term supporting piece. Scouts have told ESPN they'd like to see him be a bit more efficient, but he has acclimated well to the college game. -- Woo
15. Drake Powell, North Carolina
With three first-round picks (this one coming from the Hawks) and a young roster looking to make the jump to playoff contention, the Spurs likely will be opportunistic in navigating this draft. Adding wing depth likely will be an option, along with exploring trade opportunities.
The Spurs could use a big perimeter defender and might address that with this selection, making Powell an interesting potential fit. Powell is one of the more versatile defenders in this draft class, with the frame, strength and instincts to cover several positions adequately from the wing. Though that hasn't manifested in steals and blocks, his motor and value are obvious, earning him a big role at North Carolina despite his offense needing work.
Powell isn't a major threat playing on the ball and will have to knock down 3-pointers (he's shooting 35% from 3) to carve out a meaningful place in the NBA. His confidence has been up and down this season, but there are positive ingredients for a likely 3-and-D role, presuming his shot comes around. -- Woo
The Spurs could use a big perimeter defender and might address that with this selection, making Powell an interesting potential fit. Powell is one of the more versatile defenders in this draft class, with the frame, strength and instincts to cover several positions adequately from the wing. Though that hasn't manifested in steals and blocks, his motor and value are obvious, earning him a big role at North Carolina despite his offense needing work.
Powell isn't a major threat playing on the ball and will have to knock down 3-pointers (he's shooting 35% from 3) to carve out a meaningful place in the NBA. His confidence has been up and down this season, but there are positive ingredients for a likely 3-and-D role, presuming his shot comes around. -- Woo
14. Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
The 2024 Israeli League Premier Rising Star and FIBA U18 European Championship MVP is a quality 6-6 left-handed wing with good touch and feel for picking his spots offensively. When he has the basketball, he can finish in the lane, stop at the elbow and knock down tough shots, or be a distributor with good vision to find his teammates. He presents the tools to be a solid enough defender, although foot speed is a bit of a concern. The one area to improve upon: perimeter shooting.