The San Antonio Spurs traded up into the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting two frontcourt players.
The San Antonio Spurs had one of the busier draft nights in the NBA, picking Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintrance 20th overall, before trading two second-round picks to move up, adding UConn's Tarris Reed 26th overall.
For the Spurs, it's a total overhaul of their frontcourt. Neither player is expected to start--in Quaintrance's case, not right away, in Reed's case, not ever--but there is room for the bruising pair to play a big role in San Antonio.
With Victor Wembanyama front and center in San Antonio, the question has to be asked: just how well do Reed and Quaintance fit on the roster?
How Spurs' Picks Will Pair With Wemby
Quaintance is a powerful forward who missed all but four games of his sophomore season with injury, so his second-year stats have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Here's what we know: he's not durable, but when he's on the floor, he's a powerful player who can defend, get to the rim, and play old-school bully ball. Had he been healthy, he was expected to be a top-ten pick. If he gets healthy, he could be the steal of the draft.
The Spurs needed a power forward to rebound while Wembanyama roams on both ends of the floor. Quaintance is incredibly raw, but he fits the bill. With Yaxel Lendeborg and Karim Lopez both long gone by the time the Spurs selected, this isn't a bad pick, and if he's healthy, he could have an immediate impact.
The addition of Reed, meanwhile, shouldn't really affect Wembanyama, but it will have consequences up and down the roster. With Wemby and Luke Kornet Sharpied--not penciled--in as the first and second string centers, Reed will be at the end of the bench.
What does that mean for backups Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee? Good luck in free agency!
In his final college season, Reed averaged 14.7 points and nine rebounds. At the college level, he was a solid playmaker and excellent defender, but there's a reason he stayed in school for four years.
He's not the best athlete, but with the 26th pick, the Spurs weren't exactly expecting to add a star; they were hoping for a high-level role player.
If both Reed and Quaintance stay healthy and on-track devolpmnetaly, they can both be exaclty what the Spurs need: not flashy, but winning players.
