With the 76ers signing Dario Saric, that left just five players drafted in the first round before this year who are still active but haven’t played in the NBA:
- Nikola Milutinov (No. 26 by Spurs in 2015)
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (No. 27 by Suns in 2014)
- Livio Jean-Charles (No. 28 in 2013 by Spurs)
- Petteri Koponen (No. 30 in 2007 by 76ers)
- Fran Vazquez (No. 11 in 2005 by Magic)
San Antonio trimmed the list by one.
Because Jean-Charles was drafted more than three years ago, he’s not bound by the rookie scale. San Antonio could have signed him to a scale or standard contract.
The Spurs could use more length and athleticism on the frontline behind LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol, and Jean-Charles fit the bill when drafted. But he tore his ACL and missed the following season. It’s less clear the 22-year-old is still on track to help.
Count on Dewayne Dedmon as a far safer bet to provide San Antonio with that dimension. If Jean-Charles helps, that’d just be a bonus.