Welcome to the Open Thread. During the month of June, we are talking NBA Draft. As we lead up to the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25th, we will be revisiting the Spurs draft choices. Today we remember the 2017 NBA Draft.

After coming off the first season without Tim Duncan, the Spurs sported a 61-21 record which landed them the 29th and 59th spots. In typical “steal of the draft” style, PATFO chose Derrick White, the first senior of the draft. The overlooked University of Colorado product offered versatility, the ability to play either guard position, and a solid 3-point shot.

I love the photo. There is a video out there of Derrick taking the phone call from Pop right after being drafted. You can see and hear his overwhelmed astonishment of the moment and his pride in knowing he was going to a great team.

In his rookie season, White got some minor time at the AT&T Center, he flourished with the G-League affiliate showing the kind of promise that might bring him into the NBA full time.

White was a strong contributor on the court and a fun-loving community member off the court. He made many appearances on behalf of the Spurs and was a willing participant. My favorite was when he helped an elementary school celebrate winning the Whataburger Whatcha Reading contest. He donned a mask and stuck around after the festivities to hang out with the kids.

Unfortunately for Spurs fans, White was traded to the Boston Celtics on February 11, 2022. It worked out well for White as he picked up an NBA Championship ring last year with the Celtics.

What did the Spurs get in return?

Derrick White was traded to the Boston Celtics for (a) Josh Richardson, (b) Romeo Langford, (c) the 2022 first-round pick that materialized into Blake Wesley, and (d) the rights to swap 2028 first-round picks.

Let’s break this down piece by piece.

Since the trade-

(a) Josh Richardson was traded on February 9, 2023 to the New Orleans Pelicans which yielded:

Devonte’ Graham, eventually traded July 6, 2024 to Charlotte Hornets with 2025 second-round pick (via New Orleans) in exchange for cash considerations.
2024 second-round pick [went to Boston on July 12, 2023 in a three-team trade that sent Reggie Bullock to the Spurs (he was waived) and the right to swap 2030 first-round picks with Dallas.]
2026 second-round pick (no protections)
2028 second-round pick (no protections)
2029 second-round pick (no protections)

(b) Romeo Langford finished the season with the Spurs and then signed with the Utah Jazz.

(c) Blake Wesley just finished the third year of his four-year contract.

(d) Still own 2028 first-round draft swap rights with Boston.

So the updated version of the trade sent Derrick White and netted Blake Wesley, 2028 and 2030 first-round swaps, and three second-round picks (2026, 2028, 2029).

Lots of collateral for wheeling and dealing.

In the second round the Spurs took Jaron Blossomgame with the 59th pick of the draft. The Clemson forward joined the Spurs in Summer League before signing on with the Austin Spurs. Under Blake Ahern, Blossomgame succeeded in capturing the 2018 G-League Championship along with Derrick White, Darrun Hilliard, Matt Costello, and Olivier Hanlan.

He made a career through the G-League playing with the Canton Charge, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and Windy City Bulls before heading overseas where he won back-to-back LNB Pro A championships in 2023 and 2024 with AS Monoco.

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