NBA execs have high praise for Spurs draft picks

An ESPN poll of NBA executives and scouts revealed insights on the incoming NBA rookie class following summer league.

For NBA Rookie of the Year, number one overall pick Cooper Flagg received the most votes (17 out of 20). Voters predicted that while Flagg might not lead rookies in scoring, his all-around impact as a playmaker and defender would make him the favorite. Dylan Harper received the second-most votes (2). Harper was seen as a potential number one pick talent if Flagg wasn't available, but like Flagg, he joins a solid roster where he won't carry the primary scoring load.

Regarding the best draft pick besides Flagg, Dylan Harper (6 votes) and VJ Edgecombe (10 votes) garnered the most support, indicating scouts highly valued the draft's top three players. Scouts noted Harper's offensive similarities to Manu Ginobili and his potential fit with the Spurs' recent Rookie of the Year winners, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama. While the Spurs have a backcourt logjam with De'Aaron Fox, Castle, and Devin Vassell, they selected Harper as the best player available when they unexpectedly landed the number two pick, adding another foundational piece.

Carter Bryant, selected 14th by the Spurs, was voted the draft's biggest steal (5 votes). He was projected to go higher. Scouts believe Bryant will develop into an impactful wing defender who can hit threes and become part of the Spurs' core long-term, potentially being viewed alongside Castle as a key defensive pairing with Wembanyama. His summer league performance, particularly a clip of him defending Cooper Flagg effectively, significantly boosted this perception.