The San Antonio Spurs may still have plenty of basketball to play before the 2027 NBA Draft becomes a serious priority, but an early mock draft has already sparked plenty of debate among fans.

One projection has San Antonio using its lottery selection on a prospect who immediately raises an intriguing question: would the Spurs really consider pairing Victor Wembanyama with another towering European center?

According to the latest mock draft from NBA Draft Room, the Spurs are projected to select Villanova big man Luigi Suigo with the 10th overall pick. The selection would come via Atlanta as part of the draft compensation connected to the Dejounte Murray trade.

It is an eye-catching prediction, particularly because Suigo is already attracting attention because of his extraordinary size and developing skill set.

But there is a major caveat.

The 2026-27 college season has not even played out yet, meaning Suigo’s draft stock could look completely different by the time the real 2027 NBA Draft arrives. March Madness, injuries, player development and individual performances will all play a major role in determining where prospects ultimately land.

Still, the idea of Suigo landing in San Antonio is fascinating enough to examine.

Meet the 7-foot-3 prospect being compared to Wembanyama

Suigo is a 7-foot-3 Italian center who has developed a reputation as one of the more intriguing young big men in his class.

His skill set is what makes the comparison particularly interesting.

Despite his enormous frame, Suigo isn’t simply a traditional paint-bound center. He has shown the ability to protect the rim, facilitate for teammates and stretch the floor, while his shooting continues to develop.

Last season with Mega Basket in Serbia, he averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds.

He was originally expected to enter the NBA Draft but ultimately decided that another year of development would serve him better.

That decision could prove extremely important.

Rather than entering the league as an extremely raw prospect, Suigo now has an opportunity to play at Villanova, develop physically and improve the weaknesses in his game against high-level college competition.

There are obvious concerns, though.

His size is an advantage around the basket, but his mobility could become an issue against smaller, quicker players. At more than 280 pounds, defending in space could present a serious challenge, particularly in an NBA where opposing teams relentlessly target slower big men.

An additional season of conditioning and development could therefore be crucial to his long-term prospects.

But do the Spurs actually need another center?

This is where the mock draft becomes much more difficult to predict.

San Antonio already has an obvious franchise centerpiece at center in Wembanyama, while Luke Kornet, Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr. provide additional frontcourt options.

So why would the Spurs spend a lottery selection on another big?

There are several possible scenarios.

If Quaintance struggles with availability or his recovery becomes a significant long-term concern, San Antonio could decide that additional insurance behind Wembanyama is necessary.

Alternatively, if Reed and Quaintance both impress during the upcoming season, the Spurs could eventually decide that Kornet’s place on the roster is expendable. In that scenario, drafting a young player like Suigo could provide inexpensive frontcourt depth while allowing San Antonio to continue developing its young core.

But there is another possibility that may be even more realistic.

The Spurs simply don’t draft a center.

San Antonio could instead prioritize a talented wing or forward, particularly if an elite perimeter prospect emerges during the college season. The organization could also explore trading the pick if there isn’t a player available who fits its long-term vision.

That may ultimately be the more logical route.

However, the thought of Wembanyama sharing the frontcourt with a 7-foot-3 prospect who has been nicknamed the “Italian Wemby” is difficult to ignore.

For now, Suigo remains an intriguing projection rather than a concrete Spurs target.

But if he takes a major leap at Villanova this season, the conversation could become considerably more serious.

And if San Antonio somehow ends up with both the real Wembanyama and his Italian counterpart?

That would certainly make for one of the most fascinating frontcourts in the NBA.