By Jacob Douglas | Pounding The Rock (PtR), 2026-06-21 16:30:00
惊喜不？选秀季到了！
当圣安东尼奥马刺队还在征战总决赛时，人们很难把注意力集中在NBA选秀上。但随着系列赛局势逐渐失控，我发现自己开始频繁打开YouTube，去研究那些在选秀日可能进入马刺选人范围的新秀。如今，距离NBA选秀仅剩几天时间，是时候对马刺可能在6月23日挑选的球员进行一次全面深入的剖析了。
往年，在没有马刺比赛的几个月里，我可以花上几个小时观看比赛录像，以此来跟进圣安东尼奥应该选谁。但今年的季后赛之旅让这几乎成了奢望。因此，就像我最喜欢的篮球评论员之一比尔·西蒙斯 (Bill Simmons)那样，我在YouTube上广泛研究了2026届的选秀前景。由于时间有限，无法为每位新秀单独撰文，所以在这篇关于首轮目标的文章中，我将把他们放在一起进行盘点。
马刺在本次选秀中拥有第20号签、第35号签、第42号签和第44号签。他们极不可能用完这四个选秀权，因此可以预见他们会进行一些向上交易或交易掉选秀权的操作。甚至无法保证他们会在第二轮进行选择，因为这些选秀权通常会被交易换取现金。对于他们来说，用首轮签寻找合适的人选是合乎逻辑的。第20号签的选择范围非常广泛，其结果也大相径庭。过去在这个顺位被选中的球员包括杰伦·泰森 (Jaylon Tyson)、杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)、马蒂斯·塞布尔 (Matisse Thybulle)、卡里斯·勒维尔 (Caris LeVert)、马拉基·布兰纳姆 (Malaki Branham)、哈里·贾尔斯三世 (Harry Giles III) 以及布鲁诺·卡博克洛 (Bruno Caboclo)。
在这届特殊的选秀中，圣安东尼奥似乎很难用第20号签选到一个在菜鸟赛季就能做好首发准备或扮演重要角色的球员。有几位球员有潜力成长为优质的轮换角色球员，并填补圣安东尼奥阵容中的一些空缺，但球迷们应该降低对马刺用这个选秀权所能选到新秀质量的预期（除非他们向上交易，或者有热门新秀顺位下滑）。
背景介绍完毕，让我们来看看圣安东尼奥可以考虑的候选新秀。
向上交易目标：
雅克塞尔·伦德伯格 (Yaxel Lendeborg)，6尺9寸 大前锋/小前锋，密歇根大学
场均30.2分钟、15.1分、6.8个篮板、1.2次盖帽，投篮命中率51.5%，三分命中率37.2%，罚球命中率82.4%
圣安东尼奥今年夏天首要的需求是一个能里能外的大个前锋/锋线。他需要能在内线与大个子肉搏、拼抢篮板，在禁区内为维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)分担压力，同时还能拉开空间。这类球员可遇而不可求。在今年的选秀中，伦德伯格可能是最容易得到且具备这些技能的新秀。
如果马刺要在选秀中向上交易选任何人，那绝对应该是伦德伯格。是的，当他打第一场NBA比赛时他就已经24岁了，但他的技术水平以及在大学生涯中的成长，让他拥有很高的下限和成长空间。伦德伯格在进入联盟的第一天起就能发挥作用，成为一名球风强悍、擅长空切的大个子，他能拼抢篮板、进行内外线防守并拉开空间。他与圣安东尼奥简直是天作之合，也是本届选秀中少数几个能在第一天就上场贡献力量的新秀之一。
莫雷兹·约翰逊二世 (Morez Johnson Jr.)，6尺9寸 大前锋/中锋，密歇根大学
场均25.1分钟、13.1分、7.3个篮板、1.1次盖帽，投篮命中率62.3%，三分命中率34.3%，罚球命中率78.2%
今年密歇根大学的阵容中挤满了具备NBA实力的内线球员。如果这支卫冕全国冠军球队今年有三名大个子在乐透区被选中，那也一点都不令人意外。这很大程度上要归功于莫雷兹·约翰逊二世在过去几个月里的强势崛起。
莫雷兹·约翰逊二世将为圣安东尼奥的前场提供他们急需的多功能性。他拥有令人瞩目的身体对抗和运动天赋，能在内线拼抢篮板，同时速度也足够快，可以防守到外线。作为一名新秀，他一进入联盟就能在进攻篮板上展开竞争，并在进攻端扮演顺下终结者的角色。他正在开发自己的跳投，这可能会让他从一个身材偏矮的蓝领拼命三郎，蜕变为一个名副其实的能拉开空间的空间型内线。向上交易选择莫雷兹·约翰逊二世将表明马刺信任他的投篮，并认为他可以与文班亚马搭档，或者作为其替补。
汉内斯·斯坦巴赫 (Hannes Steinbach)，6尺10寸 大前锋/中锋，华盛顿大学
场均34.6分钟、18.5分、11.8个篮板、1.2次盖帽，投篮命中率57.7%，三分命中率34%，罚球命中率75.9%
如果马刺选中斯坦巴赫与文班亚马搭档，他们可能再也不会在篮板大战中落入下风了。这位华盛顿大学的大一新生是一名强壮、高大、擅长拼抢篮板的前锋/中锋，他在今年异军突起。他擅长在篮下得分，在半场阵地战中，他在篮筐附近的出手命中率高达67.2%，并且能够积极快下并在转换进攻中完成终结。
围绕斯坦巴赫的防守站位存在一些疑问。他的速度足够防守更小、更灵活的4号位吗？他的护筐能力足够让他胜任中锋吗？但有了文班亚马，这些防守端的问题就变得不那么重要了，尤其是如果他能在篮板端承担更多脏活累活并在篮下得分的话。对斯坦巴赫来说，决定其上限的关键技能是他的跳投。他在大一赛季展现出了投篮手感的迹象，以34%的命中率投进了18个三分球。如果他的跳投能继续进步，他将成为文班亚马在进攻端的理想搭档——一个能里能外的大个子。
20号签可选范围：
卡梅隆·卡尔 (Cameron Carr)，6尺5寸 锋线，贝勒大学
场均33.7分钟、18.9分、5.8个篮板、1.3次盖帽，投篮命中率49.4%，三分命中率37.4%，罚球命中率80.1%
这份名单上的几乎每一位球员都填补了类似的空缺：一个能与文班亚马在马刺前场搭档的多功能大个子/锋线。卡尔不属于这一类型，但他可能同样具有价值。这位21岁的锋线是一名神射手，同时拥有惊人的垂直弹跳。去看看卡尔起跳扣篮和盖帽的方式，你不可能不被震撼。
圣安东尼奥在所有位置上都需要更多的空间型球员。本赛季他们过度依赖朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie)和德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell)来投中空位三分。引进卡尔将为他们提供另一名能在圣安东尼奥快节奏体系中如鱼得水的射手。在进攻端，他可以通过无球切入并凭借出色的身体素质在篮下完成终结；在防守端，他是一名积极干扰传球路线的无球防守者，并能利用其42.5英寸（约108厘米）的垂直弹跳在篮下封盖对手。卡尔需要增加力量，并在整体上提升对抗性，但他出色的投篮手感与运动能力的结合，将使他成为圣安东尼奥不断壮大的年轻核心阵容中一个令人兴奋的补充。
艾伦·格雷夫斯 (Allen Graves)，6尺8寸 大前锋/中锋，圣克拉拉大学
场均22.6分钟、11.8分、6.5个篮板、1.9次抢断，投篮命中率51.2%，三分命中率41.3%，罚球命中率75%
在各大模拟选秀中，格雷夫斯被预测加盟马刺的次数比其他任何球员都多。他完全符合马刺的需求：一个防守直觉敏锐、跳投出色的多功能前锋。格雷夫斯需要在篮筐附近打得更强硬，并找到避免犯规的防守方法，但他集防守组织、篮板、空间拉开和传球于一身的特点，使他成为圣安东尼奥在20号签位置上一个非常吸引人的选择。
格雷夫斯看起来不像是那种能在一支争冠球队中立刻发挥作用的球员。在他唯一的大学赛季里，他只是西海岸联盟（WCC）一所学校的替补，上场时间有限。马刺可以将他培养成文班亚马的长期前场搭档，并利用他的多功能性为他们的大个子轮换阵容提供不同的战术选择。
卡里姆·洛佩兹 (Karim Lopez)，6尺8寸 锋线，新西兰破坏者队
场均25.8分钟、11.9分、6.1个篮板、1.2次抢断，投篮命中率50.2%，三分命中率32.6%，罚球命中率71.7%
洛佩兹最适合被描述为一名力量型球员。他利用自己的体型、骨架和对抗能力，在半场阵地战和转换进攻中通过强硬的突破得分。他能做到圣安东尼奥在锋线/前锋位置上所需的很多事情。他在澳大利亚和新西兰的职业联赛NBL中表现得相当高效，但他防守端和三分线外的疑问让他无缘乐透区的讨论。
洛佩兹展现出了定点投篮的闪光点，但在他NBL的第二个赛季中，他的三分命中率仅为32.6%。在防守端，他很难挡在有运动天赋的进攻球员身前，而且在无球防守时容易看球不看人，从而被对手空切。如果圣安东尼奥选择洛佩兹，他们将是在赌他的身体天赋和比赛感觉，并相信他的跳投和防守能够得到开发。
杰登·奎因坦斯 (Jayden Quaintance)，6尺9寸 中锋，肯塔基大学
（采用大一赛季数据）场均29.5分钟、9.4分、7.9个篮板、2.6次盖帽，投篮命中率52.5%，三分命中率18.8%，罚球命中率47.9%
奎因坦斯的前景令人兴奋。他是一名运动能力出色的大个子，防守端极具影响力。从文班亚马到奎因坦斯，护筐能力的下滑就像是从A+降到A。他之所以会在马刺的选秀顺位上依然可选，是因为目前还不清楚他何时能够上场，以及他的健康状况如何。
奎因坦斯在2025年2月撕裂了前交叉韧带（ACL），至今仍未完全康复。由于伤病并发症，他在肯塔基大学的大二赛季仅打了4场比赛。各支球队不仅担心他膝盖的健康状况，还担心这段经历是否削弱了他的运动能力。对奎因坦斯来说，问题不仅仅在于健康，他在进攻端也极其受限，在更高水平的联赛中，他最擅长的可能只有顺下终结者。
圣安东尼奥是少数几个适合奎因坦斯的球队之一。在这届选秀中，20号签附近并没有太多“即战力”新秀，而且马刺的轮换阵容已经非常拥挤。圣安东尼奥可以选择奎因坦斯，让他就发展联盟康复并锻炼一年，然后计划在未来几年让他担任文班亚马的替补。在20号顺位选择奎因坦斯将是一次长线投资，但最终可能会在未来许多年里解决马刺替补大个子的燃眉之急。
戴林·斯温 (Dailyn Swain)，6尺7寸 锋线，德克萨斯大学
场均32.8分钟、17.3分、7.5个篮板、1.6次抢断，投篮命中率54.2%，三分命中率34.4%，罚球命中率81.5%
斯温今年在长角牛队（德克萨斯大学）扮演了至关重要的角色，带领球队杀入了NCAA锦标赛，迎来了他爆发的大三赛季。作为一名锋线，他拥有不错的体型，是该位置上出色的控球者和突破手，并且具备成为防守端组织者的潜力。在无球端，他会是一名强力的切入者，但由于跳投出手慢且不稳定，他不会成为一名顶级的空间拉开者。在NBA级别，当球在他手中时，他才能发挥出最大威力。这对于他融入圣安东尼奥来说是个小问题，因为马刺阵容中已经有很多需要持球的球员了。
在某种程度上，圣安东尼奥应该在20号签选择最优秀的可用球员。如果斯温在20号顺位还未被选走，他绝对是他们能选到的最佳新秀之一。马刺需要一个无法拉开空间、需要持球的锋线吗？可能不需要。但他将为马刺的替补席提供另一个进攻武器，而这支替补阵容在季后赛中曾多次陷入得分荒。
破格之选：
克里斯·塞纳克二世 (Chris Cenac Jr.)，6尺10寸 大前锋/中锋，休斯敦大学
场均24.8分钟、9.5分、7.9个篮板、0.5次盖帽，投篮命中率48.5%，三分命中率33.3%，罚球命中率62.1%
理论上，塞纳克二世会是文班亚马身边的绝佳搭档。他拥有出色的体型和运动能力，并被预测最终能稳定投中三分球。他已经是一名强壮的篮板手，拥有丰富的防守武器库，并且可以成长为一个能运球、能传球、能投篮的有趣进攻球员，扮演空间型4/5号位。问题在于，这些技能很多还停留在理论阶段。在他休斯敦大学的大一赛季中，这些技能只是偶尔闪现，大多数时候，他是一个对抗偏弱的前锋，打法更像锋线而不是中锋。
选择塞纳克二世对马刺来说将是一个培养型选择。就像卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant)一样，他是一个极具天赋的毛坯型新秀，或许能获得一些零星的出场时间，但还没有稳定地将自己的各项技能融合在一起以赢得稳定的轮换时间。圣安东尼奥可以选下塞纳克二世，让他在发展联盟培养一两年，然后随着时间的推移慢慢将他融入轮换阵容。
寇阿·皮特 (Koa Peat)，6尺7寸 大前锋，亚利桑那大学
场均27.8分钟、14.1分、5.6个篮板、2.6次助攻，投篮命中率52.8%，三分命中率35%，罚球命中率62.3%
杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan)在马刺从未真正找到自己的定位，这主要是因为他的进攻无法与阵容中的其他球员互补。皮特也给了我同样的担忧。
这位亚利桑那大学的大一新生是一名强悍的竞争者，在各个层级的比赛中都赢过球。他是一名非常强壮的运动员，在大学和高中时期都靠身体碾压突入禁区。他在组织进攻、中距离得分和多功能防守方面展现出了令人期待的上限。问题在于他不会投篮。在大一赛季，他三分球总共20投7中，罚球命中率也仅为62.3%。如果他无法拉开空间，他在马刺的进攻端将扮演什么角色？
皮特具备在NBA级别成为赢家的血统和风骨。但他的技术将如何转化为更高水平的战力还存在极大的不确定性，你必须绞尽脑汁才能在马刺阵容中为他找到一个合适的位置。圣安东尼奥在过去几个赛季中，在挑选高品质赢家方面做得非常出色，比如文班亚马和斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle)。如果他们把这一点看得高于一切，皮特可能会成为20号签的选择。
约书亚·杰斐逊 (Joshua Jefferson)，6尺8寸 大前锋，爱荷华州立大学
场均30.9分钟、16.4分、7.4个篮板、4.8次助攻，投篮命中率47.1%，三分命中率34.5%，罚球命中率70%
鲍里斯·迪奥 (Boris Diaw)和凯尔·安德森 (Kyle Anderson)。这是马刺球迷最常挂在嘴边、希望球队拥有的球员类型。而今年的选秀中，可能正好有这么一位。杰斐逊是一名速度较慢、运动能力受限的球员，但他对比赛的理解极其深刻。作为爱荷华州立大学的大四学生，他在大前锋位置上是一名出色的组织者和篮板手，同时在防守和得分方面也表现优异。他的跳投取得了长足的进步，今年展现出了投中定点三分的能力。不过，他在NBA级别的运动能力和自主得分能力仍存在很大疑问。
在我看来，杰斐逊是马刺的完美人选。他能运球、能传球、能投篮（某种程度上）、能抢篮板，还能防守。他能够在转换进攻中推节奏，并在半场阵地战中很好地转移球。如果他的投篮能继续提高，他将与文班亚马一起拉开空间，同时提供圣安东尼奥内线急需的强硬度。许多人对杰斐逊的预测顺位在第二轮，但他独特的技能包使他成为圣安东尼奥在20号签位置上一个非常有趣的“破格”候选人。
亨利·维萨尔 (Henri Veesaar)，6尺11寸 中锋，北卡罗来纳大学
场均31.4分钟、17分、8.7个篮板、1.2次盖帽，投篮命中率60.8%，三分命中率42.6%，罚球命中率61.5%
马刺需要为他们的前场带来一些不一样的元素。卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet)是一名扎实的掩护者、禁区守护者和篮板手。他能承担替补大个子所需的脏活累活，但他缺乏马刺在面对更具运动天赋的球队时所需要的进攻爆发力和盖帽威胁。维萨尔凭借其体型、盖帽和拉开空间的能力，可以成为一个极佳的变招。
维萨尔是一个对抗偏弱的大个子，在身体对抗中比较吃力。在防守时，对手会试图强吃他；在顺下或试图在篮下终结时，对手也会利用他力量不足的弱点。正因如此，即使他有三分投射，他能否与文班亚马并肩作战也还是个未知数。如果他和文班亚马成为马刺的两个内线，马刺的前场对抗将会显得非常单薄。但从另一方面来看，对手将极难在维萨尔和文班亚马的头顶上得分，而且他们拉开空间的能力会给对手的防守带来巨大挑战。维萨尔是另一个可能在马刺第二轮选秀中被选中的球员。
伊赛亚·埃文斯 (Isaiah Evans)，6尺6寸 锋线，杜克大学
场均28.2分钟、15分、3.2个篮板、0.7次抢断，投篮命中率43.3%，三分命中率36.1%，罚球命中率86%
球队永远不嫌射手多，而埃文斯是本届选秀中最好的移动射手之一。在杜克大学的两个赛季里，他投中过许多关键球。其中很多球的难度极高，这预示着在更高水平、拥有更多空间的联赛中，他有能力投中三分。他比赛的方方面面都源于这种投篮能力。他的突破通常来自于攻击对手的强力扑防，而他作为射手的牵制力可以为队友拉开空间。他在防守端有所进步，但仍有很大的提升空间。此外，他在锋线上也算不上一个组织者。
如果圣安东尼奥只是想增加投篮火力，那么选择埃文斯会是个不错的决定。这位杜克大学的大二学生有可能下滑到第二轮。在20号顺位选他可能有些勉强，但在35号顺位，他绝对是一个值得一试的彩票，有望成长为替补席上稳定的移动射手。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：Spurs prospect profile: First-round targets
Spurs prospect profile: First-round targets
Surprise! It’s draft season!
It was hard to focus on the NBA Draft when the San Antonio Spurs were playing in the NBA Finals. But slowly, as the series started to slip, I found myself heading over to YouTube to check out the prospects who could be in San Antonio’s range come draft day. Now, with just mere days separating us from the NBA Draft, it’s time to do a full-blown deep dive into who the Spurs may pick on June 23rd.
In past years, there have been months without Spurs basketball where I could watch hours of games to catch up on who San Antonio should draft. This year’s playoff run made that nearly impossible. So, like one of my favorite basketball commentators of all time, Bill Simmons, I studied the 2026 Draft prospects extensively on YouTube. With little time to do individual posts on all of the prospects, they’ll be lumped together in this article on first-round targets.
The Spurs have the 20th, 35th, 42nd, and 44th picks in the draft. It’s highly unlikely they’ll use all four of those picks, so expect some trades up or out of the draft. There is no guarantee that they’ll even make a selection in the second round, as those picks can often be traded for cash. It would make sense for them to look for someone with their first round selection. The 20th pick offers a wide range of outcomes. Past draftees in that spot include Jaylon Tyson, Jalen Johnson, Matisse Thybulle, Caris LeVert, Malaki Branham, Harry Giles III, and Bruno Caboclo.
In this particular draft, it seems unlikely that San Antonio will be able to select a player ready to start or play a significant role as a rookie with the 20th pick. Several players have the potential to develop into quality role players and fill some gaps on San Antonio’s roster, but fans should temper their expectations on the quality of prospects the Spurs can bring in with this pick (unless they trade up or someone falls).
With the scene setting out of the way, let’s take a look at the prospects San Antonio could consider.
Trade up targets:
Yaxel Lendeborg, 6’9” PF/SF, Michigan
30.2 minutes, 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 51.5% shooting, 37.2% three, 82.4% free throw
San Antonio’s number one need this summer is a big forward/wing who can play inside and out. Someone who can bang with bigs inside and rebound to help Victor Wembanyama in the paint, while being able to space the floor. Those players don’t grow on trees. In this draft, Lendeborg might be the most gettable prospect with those skills.
If the Spurs trade up for anyone in the draft, it should be Lendeborg. Yes, he’ll be 24 when he plays his first NBA game, but his skill level and development over his collegiate career give him a high floor with room to grow. Lendeborg could step in on day one and be a physical, slashing big man who could help on the boards, defend inside and out, and space the floor. He fits like a glove in San Antonio and is one of the few prospects in the draft who could step in and play a role on day one.
Morez Johnson Jr., 6’9” PF/C, Michigan
25.1 minutes, 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 62.3% shooting, 34.3% three, 78.2% free throw
This year’s Michigan roster was stacked with NBA post players. It wouldn’t be a shock if the defending National Champions saw three bigs drafted in the lottery this year. Much of that is thanks to Johnson Jr.’s ascent over the last few months.
Johnson Jr. would give San Antonio a lot of the versatility they need in the frontcourt. He’s an imposing physical and athletic presence who can gobble up boards inside and is quick enough to guard on the perimeter. He’ll be able to step into the league and compete on the offensive glass and serve as a rim-runner offensively as a rookie. He has a developing jump shot that could turn him from an undersized hustle big man to a legit floor spacing workhorse. Trading up for Johnson Jr. would signal that the Spurs believe in his jump shot and that he could play alongside Wembanyama or back him up.
Hannes Steinbach, 6’10” PF/C, Washington
34.6 minutes, 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 57.7% shooting, 34% three, 75.9% free throw
San Antonio may never lose the rebounding war ever again if they draft Steinbach to play alongside Wembanyama. The Washington freshman is a tough, big, rebounding forward/center who exploded onto the scene this year. He’s adept at scoring around the basket, converting on 67.2% of his looks at the rim in half-court settings, and will get out and finish plays in transition.
There are question marks around Steinbach’s defensive positioning. Is he quick enough to guard smaller fours? Can he protect the rim well enough to play center? With Wembanyama, those defensive questions become less important, especially if he’s able to do more of the dirty work on the glass and score around the basket. The real swing skill for Steinbach is his jump shot. He showed signs of shooting touch in his freshman season, hitting 18 threes at a 34% clip. If his jump shot continues to develop, he’d be an ideal offensive fit with Wembanyama as a big man who can score inside and out.
In range at #20:
Cameron Carr, 6’5” Wing, Baylor
33.7 minutes, 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 49.4% shooting, 37.4% three, 80.1% free throw
Pretty much every player on this list fills a similar niche: a versatile big/wing who can join Wembanyama in the Spurs’ frontcourt. Carr is not that, but he could be just as valuable. The 21-year-old wing is a knockdown three-point shooter with some crazy vertical pop. Go watch the way Carr leaps for dunks and blocks and tell me you aren’t impressed.
San Antonio needs more floor spacers at all positions. They were over-reliant on Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell to hit open threes this season. Adding Carr would give them another shooter who would thrive in San Antonio’s up-tempo system. He can score as an off-ball cutter who finishes athletically at the rim and defend off the ball as a defender who plays aggressively in the passing lanes and erases shots at the rim with his 42.5-inch vertical. Carr needs to add more strength and become a more physical player overall, but his combination of shooting touch and athleticism would make him an exciting addition to San Antonio’s growing young core.
Allen Graves, 6’8” PF/C, Santa Clara
22.6 minutes, 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 51.2% shooting, 41.3% three, 75% free throw
Graves finds himself mock-drafted to the Spurs more than any other player. He fits exactly what they need as a versatile forward with good defensive instincts and a nice jump shot. Graves needs to get more physical around the rim and find a way to defend without fouling, but his combination of defensive playmaking, rebounding, floor spacing, and passing makes him an intriguing bet for San Antonio at 20.
Graves doesn’t seem like the type of player who can come in and play an immediate role on a title contender. He came off the bench for a WCC school in his sole collegiate season and played limited minutes. The Spurs could develop him into a long-term frontcourt partner with Wembanyama and use his versatility to give them another look in their big-man rotation.
Karim Lopez, 6’8” Wing, New Zealand Breakers
25.8 minutes, 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 50.2% shooting, 32.6% three, 71.7% free throw
Lopez would best be described as a power player. He uses his size, frame, and physicality to score on tough drives in the half-court and transition. He does a lot of the things San Antonio needs in a wing/forward. He was fairly productive in the NBL, a professional league in Australia and New Zealand, but his question marks on defense and from three-point range have left him out of the lottery conversation.
Lopez showed flashes as a standstill shooter, but hit just 32.6% from three in his second season in the NBL. Defensively, he struggles to stay in front of athletic offensive players, and he allows players to back-cut after ball-watching off the ball. If San Antonio were to select Lopez, they would be betting on his physical tools and feel for the game, with the belief that his jump shot and defense can develop.
Jayden Quaintance, 6’9” C, Kentucky
(USING FRESHMAN YEAR STATS) 29.5 minutes, 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 52.5% shooting, 18.8% three, 47.9% free throw
The idea of Quantaince is exciting. He’s an athletic big man who is one heck of a defensive playmaker. The drop off in rim protection from Wembanyama to Quaintance would be like going from an A+ to an A. The reason he will be available where the Spurs are selecting is that it’s unclear when he will be able to play and how healthy he will be.
Quaintance tore his ACL in February of 2025 and has not recovered since. He played in just 4 games his sophomore year at Kentucky, dealing with complications from the injury. Not only are teams worried about his knee’s health, but also whether the experience has sapped some of his athleticism. It’s not just health with Quaintance; he’s also an extremely limited offensive player who will be best at rim running at the next level.
San Antonio is one of the few teams that make sense for Quaintance. There aren’t a ton of “win-now” prospects at 20 in this draft, and the Spurs’ rotation is already overflowing with logjams. San Antonio could select Quaintance, let him rehab and develop in the G League for a year, and then plan to unleash him behind Wembanyama in the years to come. Selecting Quaintance at 20 would be a long play, but one that could ultimately solve a lot of the Spurs’ backup big man problems for years to come.
Dailyn Swain, 6’7” Wing, Texas
32.8 minutes, 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 54.2% shooting, 34.4% three, 81.5% free throw
Swain played a crucial role for the Longhorns this year, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament in his breakout junior season. He has good size for a wing, is an excellent ball-handler and driver for the position, and has potential as a defensive playmaker. Off the ball, he’ll be a strong cutter, but won’t be an elite floor spacer, as he has a slow, inconsistent jump shot. He’ll be at his best with the ball in his hands at the NBA level. That’s a bit of a problem for his fit in San Antonio, since they already have a lot of ball-dominant players on the roster.
To a certain extent, San Antonio should draft the best player available at 20. If Swain is available at 20, he’d certainly be among the best prospects they could select. Do the Spurs need a ball-dominant handling wing who doesn’t space the floor? Probably not. But he would give them another offensive weapon in a bench unit that struggled to score at times in the playoffs.
Reaches:
Chris Cenac Jr., 6’10” PF/C, Houston
24.8 minutes, 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 48.5% shooting, 33.3% three, 62.1% free throw
Cenac Jr., in theory, would be an awesome fit next to Wembanyama. He’s got great size and athleticism, and projects to eventually shoot the ball consistently from three. He’s already a strong rebounder, has a ton of defensive tools, and could develop into an interesting offensive player who could dribble, pass, and shoot as a stretch 4/5. The problem is that a lot of these skills are theoretical. They came out in flashes during his freshman season at Houston, but most of the time, he was a weaker forward who played more like a wing than a center.
Selecting Cenac Jr. would be a developmental pick for the Spurs. Like Carter Bryant, he’d be a toolsy prospect who could maybe get some spot minutes, but has not consistently put it all together to earn significant minutes. San Antonio could take Cenac Jr., develop him in the G League for a year or two, and slowly work him into the rotation over time.
Koa Peat, 6’7” PF, Arizona
27.8 minutes, 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 52.8% shooting, 35% three, 62.3% free throw
Jeremy Sochan never found his footing with the Spurs, mostly because his offensive game couldn’t complement the rest of the roster. Peat gives me those same worries.
The Arizona freshman is a fierce competitor who has won at every single level. He’s a really strong athlete who bullied his way to the basket in college and high school. He shows intriguing upside as a playmaker, mid-range scorer, and versatile defender. The problem is that he cannot shoot. He went 7-20 from three-point range and only shot 62.3% from the free-throw line in his freshman season. What will his offensive role be for the Spurs if he’s not spacing the floor?
Peat has the pedigree and demeanor to be a winner at the NBA level. But it’s so uncertain how his skills will translate to the next level, and you have to squint to find a fit for him with the Spurs. San Antonio has done a great job drafting high-character winners in the last few seasons, like Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. If they value that above all else, Peat could be the selection at 20.
Joshua Jefferson, 6’8” PF, Iowa State
30.9 minutes, 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 47.1% shooting, 34.5% three, 70% free throw
Boris Diaw and Kyle Anderson. Those are the type of players that Spurs fans most often say they want on this team. Well, there might just be one of those guys in the draft. Jefferson is a slower, athletically limited player who thinks the game incredibly well. He’s an awesome playmaker and rebounder at his position while defending and scoring well as a senior at Iowa State. His jump shot came a long way, as he showed the ability to hit standstill threes this year. There are still significant questions about his athleticism and shot-making ability at the NBA level.
Jefferson, in my eyes, is the perfect fit for the Spurs. He can dribble, pass, shoot (kind of), rebound, and defend. He’s able to push the pace in transition and move the ball well in the half-court. If the shot continues to improve, he’ll space the floor alongside Wembanyama while providing some of the toughness San Antonio needs inside. A lot of people have a second-round grade on Jefferson, but his unique set of skills makes him an intriguing reach candidate for San Antonio at 20.
Henri Veesaar, 6’11” C, North Carolina
31.4 minutes, 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 60.8% shooting, 42.6% three, 61.5% free throw
The Spurs need another look in their front court. Luke Kornet is a solid screener, paint protector, and rebounder. He does the dirty work you need from a backup big, but he lacks the offensive pop and shot blocking that San Antonio could use against more athletic teams. Veesaar could be a great change of pace with his size, shot blocking, and floor spacing.
Veesaar is a weaker big man who struggles with physicality. Players will try to go through him when he’s defending, and they’ll try to take advantage of his lack of strength when he’s rolling or trying to finish around the rim. Because of that, it’s not a sure thing he’ll be able to play alongside Wembanyama even with his three-point shot. The Spurs would be incredibly thin in the front court with him and Wembanyama being their two bigs. On the flip side, Veesaar and Wembanyama would be incredibly tough to score over the top of, and could cause a lot of challenges for defenses with their floor spacing ability. Veesaar is another player who could be available with San Antonio’s second-round selections.
Isaiah Evans, 6’6” Wing, Duke
28.2 minutes, 15 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 43.3% shooting, 36.1% three, 86% free throw
You can always use more shooting, and Evans is one of the best movement shooters in the draft. He hit huge shots for Duke in his two seasons there. A lot of those shots were with a high degree of difficulty, which bodes well for his ability to knock down threes with more space at the next level. Every aspect of his game stems from that shooting ability. His drives usually come from attacking hard closeouts, and his gravity as a shooter can open up lanes for others. He is improving as a defender, but still leaves a lot to be desired on that end. He’s also not much of a playmaker on the wing.
If San Antonio just wants to add more shooting, they could do a lot worse than Evans. There is a chance the Duke sophomore falls to the second round. At 20, he’s a bit of a reach, but at 35, he’d be a worthwhile flyer who could develop into a solid movement shooter off the bench.
By Jacob Douglas, via Pounding The Rock