Best Landing Spot: San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs might seem like a perfect landing spot for any young prospect, but it’s especially true for someone in Jabari Smith Jr.’s mold — especially with this current iteration of the Spurs.
San Antonio is chock full of backcourt creators and wing defenders. What they need is a connective piece to tie their talented guards together with defensive anchor Jakob Poeltl on defense and a shooter to act as a pressure release valve for Dejounte Murray.
If it sounds like I just described the ideal role for Jabari Smith Jr., it’s because I did. For the Spurs, Jabari Smith Jr. would still be a top option on offense while having most of his looks tailormade for him from Murray, Josh Primo, Keldon Johnson, or any of their other multitude of ballhandlers.
San Antonio has desperately needed more shooting and size, and they’ll be acquiring the 2022 draft’s perfect combination of both if they select Jabari Smith.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: These 4 Teams Should Look To Trade Down In 2022 NBA Draft
On defense, San Antonio has talented stoppers in the backcourt in Murray, Johnson, Tre Jones, and Devin Vassell to go along with an underrated paint protector in Jakob Poeltl. What they’ve lacked is a true wing defender with size that can fill driving lanes and block shots from the weakside. Jabari Smith Jr. would be the perfect glue piece for their defense.
It would require a massive trade-up for the Spurs to gain the necessary position to draft Jabari Smith Jr. However, they’d be the best fit for him if they were willing to do so.
