#29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors) – Bruno Fernando
The San Antonio Spurs still employ traditional big men in most of the team’s lineups. With that being the case, only LaMarcus Aldridge and Jakob Poeltl fit the bill on the team – with little depth after that.
The Spurs even had to pick up Donatas Motiejunas for the stretch run of the playoffs, and he actually played 5 games out of the 7 that San Antonio played against the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
By taking Bruno Fernando out of Maryland 29th overall, the Spurs would have a high-upside and high-floor big man that Gregg Popovich would be able to turn into one of the more productive players from this class if given the chance.
Pop has shown a willingness to play young players if they can follow his strictures, and with Fernando, Lonnie Walker, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White in the fold, the Spurs would have an extremely interesting young core that could grow and learn together – as they attempt to regain the league-wide perception of the Spurs being a mystical franchise that always tends to be competitive no matter who’s on the team.
Fernando is a geed rebounder and excellent finisher, and he also showed a better knack for passing as a big man in his sophomore season – which would match up perfectly with Pop’s penchant for finding do-it-all players late in the first round.