NBA rumors: Spurs eyeing French phenom in possible draft trade up

A year after taking Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs are said to be interested in pairing him with at least one other player from France.

In the final days before the NBA Draft, most teams, especially those picking in the lottery, are rumored to be examining several different options. No different for the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the fourth and eighth picks this week. Reports indicate that the Black and Silver have a strong interest in forward Zaccharie Risacher. Perhaps related, rumblings have suggested that the Spurs may be considering trading for the top overall pick. Risacher isn’t the only player from France whom the Black and Silver are said to have eyes on.

Risacher played with generational talent Victor Wembanyama for the French professional club ASVEL in 2021-22. A team official there described the two as extremely close at the time, which doesn’t surprise considering their similar ages. As fate might have it, Spurs legend and fellow Frenchman Tony Parker is the majority owner of ASVEL. If paired together again, Wemby and Risacher could grow into a good young NBA duo.

Listed at 6-foot-9, Risacher is considered the best small forward prospect in this draft by many scouts. Some call him the best talent in the field. Risacher’s shooting and passing abilities would fill obvious Spurs needs. His length could also help the team defensively and would fill an immediate need the Spurs have on the wing next to Wemby.

Some squads view San Antonio as a realistic trade-up option for Risacher, whom they scouted extensively last season. Others view the fourth overall pick as his floor, an outcome that would probably thrill both parties. It would be shocking if Risacher fell past the Spurs with this fourth pick, assuming he wasn’t taken first by the Atlanta Hawks, says ClutchPoints Reporter Brett Siegel.

A French feel with Tidjane Salaun and Alex Sarr

The Spurs also hold high interest in French forward Tidjane Salaun, according to Siegel. Still just 18 years old, Salaun is one of the youngest players on the table this week. Raw is the term most synonymous with the 6-foot-9 Salaun, though some project he will grow into of the best players from this draft.⁵

Thanks to Tony Parker’s Instagram account, we know that Salaun has worked out in San Antonio. The Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder are said to have interest as well.