2017 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Lakers don’t take Lonzo Ball?

The San Antonio Spurs seem likely to explore a number of potential options this summer, including the possibility of bringing in point guard Chris Paul. The draft can allow the Spurs to address some other needs, like adding to their collection of two-way wings with South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell. The senior won the SEC Player of the Year award this season and although his game as an offensive creator probably won’t translate to the NBA, his potential as a 3-and-D guy is high.

Thornwell is a career 34.0 percent 3-point shooter, but he made 39.5 percent of his triples as a senior. Carrying over that production to the NBA will be critical for his offensive value. The good news is that Thornwell also improved as a free throw shooter this season, suggesting that his improvement might be more sustainable than just a year of good variance.

Defensively, Thornwell has the physical tools to guard multiple positions. He’s 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and strong enough to handle bigger opponents. He averaged 2.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per 40 minutes as a senior. Thornwell should be able to contribute sooner rather than later on this end, which could help him get on the floor early in his NBA career.