2018 NBA Mock Draft: Where did the prospects go?

At some point, the failures of the Spurs way when it comes to the draft have to be outlined, and the organization will have to alter the way it makes player development decisions in June.

Aside from Kyle Anderson, it’s hard to look at the Spurs roster and feel great about any of their first-round picks through the years. Dejounte Murray, their 2015 pick, is currently starting, but that decision feels more experimental right now than outright productive. Murray has a -2.5 Offensive Box Plus-Minus, showing the largely negative impact he has on the Spurs’ offense despite mostly helping the defense. This is the rub for San Antonio draft prospects since Kawhi Leonard: they tend to only be effective on one side of the ball.

No player drafted by the team has a positive Box Plus-Minus on both sides of the ball outside of Leonard. Kyle Anderson is, like Murray, a statistically impactful defender thanks to his length and energy within San Antonio’s system, but hurts the offense. Davis Bertans, a floor-spacer out of Latvia, is the opposite. No other draftee is positive on even one end.

There is legitimate pressure on the Spurs to nail this pick, drafting higher in the first round than they have since that incredible Leonard draft in 2011. Robinson has the potential to reinvigorate the Spurs’ backcourt with athleticism and defense it’s been missing since Tim Duncan retired, and a fundamental skill set that will appeal to the organization as it projects Robinson’s development.

And that last name has been a fortuitous one in San Antonio.