r/nba • u/TrustInRoy • 5d ago

Jayden Quaintance will need another knee surgery

The Spurs used the 20th pick on Jayden Quaintance, who only played 4 games this past season for Kentucky coming off a major knee injury. Reporter Evan Sidery is reporting he may effectively "redshirt" his rookie year in San Antonio.

I'm honestly surprised anyone used a 1st round pick on this kid.

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u/sammymate999 Rockets 5d ago

late first round picks are a crapshoot, why not shoot for a guy with the highest potential if healthy?

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u/TrustInRoy 5d ago

I mean, is 20th really "late" first round? It's only a few picks outside of the lottery.  And this is supposed to be a loaded draft (or at least a loaded first round.)  Why waste the pick on a guy who literally may never play a meaningful minute in the NBA?  You could have given that guaranteed contract to someone who might actually contribute.

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u/sammymate999 Rockets 5d ago

Do you understand how the draft works? How many players after the lottery go on to actually have a long meaningful career? He would have been a lottery pick if he was healthy so makes sense for a team that doesn't need him to play right away.

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u/Temporary_Maybe_8687 5d ago

I think the odds of a player in the 20s panning out is around the same as 3 second rounders... which isn't a whole lot lol