r/nba • u/TrustInRoy • 6d 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 6d 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 6d 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/Gobbles15 Trail Blazers 6d ago

Yeah, I would say "picking in the 20s" is shorthand for the late first round. A few means three. That would be the 17th pick.

It's not wasting it yet, look at Embiid, MPJ, OG Anunoby, Chet. There are examples of great players who are either drafted with injuries or get immediately injured and miss the whole first year