Following Victor Wembanyama’s desire to win soon, there are a couple of prospects the Spurs should avoid near the top of the draft.

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama

With the fourth and eighth picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs have a pair of big opportunities to build around generational talent Victor Wembanyama. Though this year’s class is regarded as relatively weak, it offers the Black and Silver a chance to flank their 20-year-old phenom with two very good players.

While the Spurs have young talent on the roster, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan may be the only players near the untouchable atmosphere Wembanyama occupies. That’s no surprise considering their 22-60 record last season.

Several prospects appear to fit the team’s needs. Names like Stephon Castle, Rob Dillingham, Ron Holland and Reed Sheppard dominate San Antonio’s slots in many mock drafts, including ClutchPoints’. Such choices make sense given the Spurs’ weaknesses and the potential impact those players could make as rookies, which is pivotal given Wemby’s quick ascension and stated desire to win.

It’s not that San Antonio has the luxury of selecting players who could contribute immediately; the team almost needs to go that route with Wembanyama in the fold. With that near necessity in mind, here are a couple of prospects the team should stay away from on draft night.

Cody Williams

Colorado Buffaloes forward Cody Williams (10) shoots against Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) in the second half in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge FieldHouseTrevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Just a few months ago, Cody Williams projected as one of the top prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft. Many projections now have the five-star high school recruit falling outside the top-10.

Williams averaged 11.9 points per as a freshman at Colorado last season, his lone collegiate campaign. The 19-year-old forward did enjoy a great stretch for several weeks, showing flashes of his utmost potential while averaging nearly 18 points per game on 55.2 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from beyond the arc. He’s the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams.

Williams is largely considered a 3-and-D prospect due to his current limitations as a ball handler and shot-creator. While meant to outline a pivotal two-way archetype, that label also comes with connotations usually reserved for a role player. These Spurs need more from a selection in the top-eight.

Tidjane Salaün

Perhaps no top prospect has been associated with the word “raw” more Salaün. Relatedly, scouts have praised his upside as well.

At 6-foot-9, Salaün features the size and length the league covets on the wing. Like the players who might go first and second in the draft later this summer, Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, he’s French. A certain Spurs player hails from France as well.

Unlike Wembanyama, Salaün probably won’t be ready on day one. In fact, given where his game is now and the way he’s described by scouts, it wouldn’t surprise if San Antonio sent him to the G League affiliate for a bit. The franchise famously already sends many, if not most, of its rookies to Austin for long stretches, and sometimes the better part of the year—even as Gregg Popovich and company have finished toward the bottom the standings the last few seasons.

In another predicament or in another draft, the Spurs might be able to afford to swing and miss. That’s not their reality now, even with tandem lottery picks.

Wembanyama wants to win sooner rather than later, and some key free agent targets seem interested in joining him in San Antonio. More importantly, he’s ready to win. The Spurs hope to land two guys toward the top of the draft who are as well.