After their most successful season since 2014, it’s time for the San Antonio Spurs to turn their attention to the next season, beginning tonight with the 2026 NBA Draft. Before taking a look at some mock drafts to see who others think the Spurs should pick, here is a quick rundown of the picks they own, as well as who is still on the roster and who is set to become a free agent.
2026 Spurs draft picks
Barring any trades, the Spurs currently have four total picks in the 2026 NBA Draft: one in the first round and three in the second.
- First Round: Pick No. 20 (via Atlanta Hawks)
- Second Round: Pick No. 35 (via Utah/Minnesota)
- Second Round: Pick No. 42 (via Portland/New Orleans)
- Second Round: Pick No. 44 (via Miami/Indiana)
The first round begins tonight at 7:00 PM CT and can be viewed on ESPN and ABC, and the second round is tomorrow at the same time on just ESPN.
Current Roster
Players Under Contract
- G: Stephon Castle
- G: De’Aaron Fox
- G: Dylan Harper
- G: Devin Vassell
- F: Carter Bryant
- F: Julian Champagnie
- F: Keldon Johnson
- F: Lindy Waters
- C: Luke Kornet
- C: Victor Wembanyama
Free Agents
- G: Jordan McLaughlin
- F: Harrison Barnes
- F: Julian Champagnie
- F/C: Kelly Olynyk
- F/C: Mason Plumlee
- C: Bismack Biyombo
As the organization considers what to do with many of the free agents that they have this summer, they also look toward the draft to help make those decisions clearer.
Being one of the final two teams left standing at the conclusion of the playoffs, San Antonio does not need a drastic rebuild, but more to fill areas of need, like a true physical forward. Someone who can set hard screens and defend at an elite level to alleviate pressure off of Victor Wembanyama so he can focus on establishing his presence in the low block. San Antonio also needs more consistent shooting, possibly a player who is great in catch-and-shoot situations. A player that allows for easier floor spacing within San Antonio’s offensive system and identity.
Here is a breakdown of the draft evaluation and the draft targets which the media believes San Antonio could target with their four picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. If you haven’t already, check out Jacob Douglas’s breakdown of potential Spurs targets here at Pounding the Rock.
Johnthon Mendoza, USA Today
In Mendoza’s NBA mock draft article published this morning, with the 20th pick he believes San Antonio should select Santa Clara University forward Allen Graves. Mendoza believes that this will be a smart selection for San Antonio because Graves is a scrappy player that is comfortable “doing the dirty work” (defensive blocks, fighting for rebounds, and having a high motor).
Round Two Pick #35 Richie Saunders (BYU) Shooting Guard
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound shooting guard who averaged 18 points and 5.8 rebounds in the 2025-26 season with a 48.9% field-goal percentage, according to ESPN statistics, seems like he can grow into a San Antonio-type player. Saunders has similar player characteristics to a young Kawhi Leonard. Also, Saunders can do a little bit of everything as far as scoring inside the paint from watching some of the highlights via YouTube. One thing to note is that Saunders, who was awarded Most Improved Player this past season, suffered an ACL tear in his right knee. Hopefully, this injury does not hinder any forward progress he is making if he would, in fact, be selected by San Antonio.
Round Two Pick #42 Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA Forward
In Mendoza’s breakdown, he sees Tyler Bilodeau as the clear selection at No. 42 of the second round. Bilodeau ranked No. 12 among all Big Ten Conference players in scoring, averaging 17.6 points per game this past collegiate season. He shot 51.8% from the field and led the Bruins in three-point percentage, according to his player profile on UCLA’s website. Bilodeau shot 87.3% on the free-throw line. This is good because San Antonio missed many free throws in the Finals. Bilodeau could be another viable low-post threat asset, providing a spark off the bench for San Antonio. He has great touch inside and finds teammates with ease during kick-outs to the perimeter.
Round Two Pick #44 Jack Kayil, Germany Point Guard
Mendoza believes with the last pick, San Antonio should select 6-foot-3 German guard Jack Kayil. This past season, Kayil played for Alba Berlin, a team that is a part of the Basketball Champions League, averaging 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He is one of the youngest players to win the Bundesliga Best Young Player Award. According to NBA.com, he won a U19 title in 2023 and took home the Most Valuable Player Award. Kayil uses his frame to easily shift his defender and draw contact when given a driving lane to the basket. He shows quick instincts, picking up defensive reads and making the best available pass or play, similarly to a very young Manu Ginóbili.
Derek Parker, Sports Illustrated
In Parker’s YouTube video released yesterday with his top 40 big board draft pitch, he has some interesting takes on who San Antonio should select with the 20th pick and the 35th pick of this year’s draft.
Round One Pick #20 — Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s University)
During his evaluation of the selection, Parker points out Ejiofor leading St. John’s in points, rebounds, and assists (16.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.5 APG). Parker makes it clear that Ejiofor is slightly undersized for a big but has other skills that make him stand out from the rest of the players in his class, citing his length, motor, defensive ability, shot-blocking, and touch around the rim in the low post. Parker views Ejiofor’s role as a bench big or a low-end starter, explaining that his shooting is the only thing holding him back from being in an NBA-caliber starting lineup. Ejiofor may be an interesting choice for San Antonio as the team struggled to find adequate matchups with New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby.
Round Two Pick #35 Isaiah Evans (Duke University)
Parker did not give much analysis on many of the second-round picks mentioned in the latter part of his video. The 6-foot-6, 185-pound guard was Duke’s second-leading scorer this past season with 15.0 points per game while shooting 43.3% from the field. After looking at footage, Evans has a bit of a Dwyane Wade playing style, making cutting and slashing to the rim his primary skills while having a unique ability to draw fouls. Evans possesses a smooth jumper that is reliable. His ability to run the floor and poke the ball away from his defender, generating steals on the defensive end of the floor, reminds me of Brandon Ingram, definitely from a size standpoint. If selected by San Antonio, he may be a valuable piece amongst a stacked roster.
Kyler Fox, Yahoo Sports
Round One Pick #20 Koa Peat (Forward, Arizona)
The 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward averaged 14.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds in his freshman season, according to ESPN, while also shooting 35.0% from the three-point line. Peat’s explosiveness is what stands out. He can definitely be a lob threat at any given moment, powering down dunk after dunk as well as fighting for steals and coming out on the winning end of 50-50 ball battles.
Round Two Pick #35 Alex Karaban (Forward, UConn)
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound senior for the University of Connecticut averaged 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds this past season. Fox believes Karaban can find success with the Spurs organization just like Julian Champagnie. According to Fox in his evaluation, Karaban, “Few prospects enter the league with a clearer understanding of how to impact winning.” He views the selection at No. 35 as low risk for San Antonio.
Round Two Pick #42 Tarris Reed Jr., Center (UConn)
The 6-foot-10, 260-pound center averaged 14.7 points per game.
Reed Jr. is a low-post specialist that can grab rebounds and put back shots with ease. He’s a big body with nimble footwork who relies on the fundamentals to get him easy buckets.
Round Two Pick #44 Richie Saunders (BYU) Shooting Guard
For the second time in this breakdown, Saunders is believed to be the clear pick at No. 44. Having a player that can do a little bit of everything and is a strong shooter can definitely play to San Antonio’s benefit.
As the NBA Draft draws closer on Tuesday night, it will be interesting to see how the San Antonio front office bolsters an already strong roster and is able to add a few players that can hopefully allow them to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the future.
