NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Wolves with the first pick, Knicks take Vassell

TEMPE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks down court during the first half of the NCAAB game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena on December 14, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks down court during the first half of the NCAAB game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena on December 14, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – FEBRUARY 17: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is seen during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on February 17, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – FEBRUARY 17: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is seen during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on February 17, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

I have consistently mocked Cole Anthony to the San Antonio Spurs very simply, because there is absolutely no way Gregg Popovich passes on a player with that much talent. Say what you want about the fit – the Spurs already have Dejonte Murray on a long-term deal and have Derrick White, Patty Mills, and Keldon Johnson (all of which are guards) under contract for the next year.

However, Anthony brings elite level shooting and athleticism. There are valid concerns that he was rushed back to play the final few games at UNC following his lower-body injury in the first half of the season. However, when a player has two elite traits at two highly transferrable skills, there must be a certain level of risk you are willing to take when drafting those players.

Anthony had poor shooting splits at North Carolina – that is undeniable – but a lot of that may be contributed to his overall team being downright bad and offering zero spacing whatsoever rather than him being a poor shooter/scorer.