Evan Pike, USA Today Sports
The draft is approaching noisily, as Jahlil Okafor and Karl Anthony Towns generate buzz as prospective superstars and every dedicated NBA fan hits the books in an effort to become a college ball connoisseur before Thursday night.
On the surface, there are a lot more compelling picks than the San Antonio Spurs. But take a long look around this franchise and you’ll get a better idea of just how big this draft could be for the Spurs. They’re a year removed from being NBA champions, yet only months ago were eliminated in the first round. With players like Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili, they are becoming a paradox. They are aging, but rising. Seasoned, but youthful. If the next few drafts are executed well, their perennial contention could span past the Tim Duncan era. That’s what’s at stake here.
It also could be the weight on the shoulders of one of their workout targets this summer, J.P. Tokoto of University of North Carolina.
Tokoto fits the mold of a San Antonio draft pick: high-risk, high reward, a work ethic held in universal esteem, and the potential to fit naturally in the Spurs’ system. His athletic ability leaves very little to be desired, but his blaring weakness is his lack of a jump shot (something that the Spurs have been known to develop quickly in young talents). Tokoto’s free-throw shooting and 3-point percentages have steadily increased throughout his time as a Tar Heel, a great showing of his dedication to improvement. His most unique strength is his ability to set up his teammates. He fluently navigates the passing lanes and dished his way to 4.3 assists per game this year, leading all NCAA forwards.
The timing is excellent for the Spurs as well. Tokoto is not without his skills but is more of a raw athlete than anything at this point, and the Spurs are a team that’s packed with talent and and concurrently trying to build for the future. A hard-working player who understands his room for growth like J.P. does could be just what they need. He won’t distract them from their current goals, and in the meantime he’ll do everything in his power to reach his full potential.
While he may not be an immediate help, J.P. Tokoto is a player worth considering even if he isn’t projected as a sure first-round pick. Perhaps that actually makes him even more fitting for the Spurs.
