Context:

The San Antonio Spurs narrowly missed securing the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, which would have allowed them to pair Victor Wembanyama with Cooper Flagg, but they secured the No. 2 overall pick instead. This pick presents an opportunity to draft a future point guard, with Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe emerging as potential candidates. Harper, a traditional point guard from Rutgers, offers reliable skills across the board, while Edgecombe from Baylor is known for his athleticism and potential. Despite having De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, the Spurs prioritize acquiring a talented ball handler over additional size. With both the No. 2 and No. 13 picks, San Antonio is well-positioned to bolster their roster with promising talent in the upcoming draft.

Dive Deeper:

• The San Antonio Spurs were one spot away from the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, which would have paired Victor Wembanyama with Duke's Cooper Flagg, but ended up with the No. 2 pick instead.

• The No. 2 pick allows the Spurs to select a point guard, with Dylan Harper from Rutgers and V.J. Edgecombe from Baylor being top contenders according to John Hollinger's big board.

• Dylan Harper is described as an old-school point guard, versatile enough to fulfill all the necessary roles of a lead guard, making him a practical choice for the Spurs.

• V.J. Edgecombe is characterized by his athleticism and leaping ability, bringing a different style with significant potential upside likened to a 'John Wall-lite' talent.

• Despite having established players like De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, the Spurs' strategy focuses on securing a skilled ball handler, which they see as a more immediate need than additional size.

• The Spurs hold the No. 13 pick as well, giving them a chance to acquire two promising players, potentially setting up a strong foundation for future success.

• Billy Heyen, the author, is a seasoned sports writer whose work has appeared in various publications, providing informed insights into the draft's implications for the Spurs.

• The San Antonio Spurs came up one spot short of the ultimate prize.

• They didn't get the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, which would've meant pairing Victor Wembanyama with Duke's Cooper Flagg.

• But the Spurs ascended the board to earn the No. 2 overall pick, and with it, the chance for something almost as important. 

• With the second pick, San Antonio can take its point guard of the future.

• The Athletic's John Hollinger released his big board on Monday prior to the lottery. Behind Flagg, he had two potential superstar point guards.

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• At No. 2 on the board, directly behind Flagg, was Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper.

• And at No. 3, Hollinger had Baylor freshman V.J. Edgecombe.

• Many mock drafts and draft boards have another Rutgers freshman, Ace Bailey, in the top-three. In some ways, he'd be an intriguing partner for Wembanyama just due to his size and scoring ability.

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• But the Spurs, even with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in town, need a supreme ball handler before they need more size.

• Harper is a bit more of an old-school point guard, not quite the supreme athlete but capable of doing every single thing you need a lead guard to do.

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• Edgecombe is the freakish athlete, the John Wall-lite, with immense upside due to his leaping talent.

• Either would be an exciting outcome for the Spurs, who never expected to finish that high on the lottery board to begin with.

• San Antonio also has the No. 13 pick, so they can really come away from the draft with two more future stars.

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