2017 NBA draft grades: Spurs make smart sleeper pick on Derrick White
The Spurs are a perennial power in the Western Conference, and as long as Kawhi Leonard is healthy and Gregg Popovich is on the sideline it will probably stay that way. But with the Warriors juggernaut manning the west, San Antonio will need all the help they can get if they want to make a return to the Finals.
Last year, the Spurs took Washington point guard Dejounte Murray, who played valuable minutes in the postseason after veteran Tony Parker went down with a quad injury. They'll aim to add more young players capable of making meaningful contributions—not necessarily an immediate star—in this year's draft.
Here's the full list of picks the Spurs hold in the 2017 draft, which will be updated with grades and analysis as each selection is made.
2017 NBA Draft Grades: Pick-By-Pick Analysis
Round 1, Pick 29 (No. 29 overall): Derrick White
White was a popular sleeper pick around the league, and he’s a perfect fit for the Spurs. He’s a talented scorer, distance shooter and ball-handler and can play both guard positions, although he’ll need to improve playing off the ball. White’s athleticism could also make him an impactful defender. Some have compared him to former Spurs guard Antonio Daniels, and he could immediately be helpful for San Antonio. - Jeremy Woo
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 29 (No. 59 overall): Jaron Blossomgame
