How the Spurs are using the G-League to develop their 1st round draft picks

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports The Spurs are always trying to find new ways to use the G-League. Recently they’ve been doing something few others in the league have consistently attempted: establishing their affiliate as the first step in the development of their first round picks.

The practice has its roots back in 2011, when they drafted Cory Joseph, who was considered a slight reach at the time. So it wasn’t exactly surprising to see him play only 266 minutes as a rookie. That same year, however, he played 701 minutes with the then Austin Toros. As the Spurs would add point guards in the years after drafting Joseph, he remained in Austin for almost three years before emerging as a…