Castle #4, Clingan #7 in latest ESPN mock draft
Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.5
The Spurs have been exploring all options with their two top-10 picks as they enter a critical offseason. With
Victor Wembanyama on a superstar-level trajectory, San Antonio has an opportunity to accelerate its path toward the playoffs, whether that's via the draft, trades or other means. The biggest roster need is at point guard, and rival teams have connected the Spurs to the
Cleveland Cavaliers'
Darius Garland as they work to revamp the team.
Keeping both these picks and taking multiple swings in the draft is also an attractive path, with the challenge being nailing the right pairing of players who will fit together with Wembanyama. San Antonio has demonstrated strong interest in Castle, who might well land here if the Spurs stay put. Castle's two-way versatility, playmaking potential and size give him attractive upside, and also make him an easy player to pair with whomever the Spurs draft at No. 8.
-- Woo
Donovan Clingan, C, UConn | Age: 20.2
It's hard to see a scenario in which Clingan -- the
No. 3 player on ESPN's Big Board -- falls to No. 7, but the Trail Blazers would surely be ecstatic with this outcome, driven by the fact Houston, San Antonio, Detroit and Charlotte all have centers in place in whom their front offices are already invested.
There's chatter around the league that teams such as Portland, Memphis and Chicago might look to move up to draft Clingan earlier than this, but in this mock scenario, he falls right into the Trail Blazers' lap. Clingan brings size, length, defensive prowess, nonstop intensity and passing ability along with a back-to-back national championship pedigree. He has plenty of room for growth alongside the Blazers' core at just 20 years old.
-- Givony