The San Antonio Spurs are building an identity as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and one draft prospect fits the bill perfectly.
The San Antonio Spurs will pick 20th in the 2026 NBA Draft, and while they've been linked to Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg as the ideal target, most experts have him being scooped up well before the Spurs get to make their selection.
After losing to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, it's clear that the Spurs need oversized wing defenders, especially ones who can rebound while Victor Wembanyama gets pulled to the perimeter.
Between Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the Spurs have an excellent defensive core, and Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, De'Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper are all above-average defenders, as well.
With no guarantee of landing a win-now player that late in the first round, the Spurs could very easily take a flier and try to fill a position of need. One player whom they've already hosted for a workout fits the bill.
Spurs Draft Profile: Santa Clara's Allen Graves
In his lone DI season with the Santa Clara Broncos, Graves went from an unknown player to a projected first-rounder. The 6-10 forward averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor and a blistering 41.3 percent from deep.
Plus, on defense, he's versatile, averaging 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks. If he continues that level of production in the NBA, he fills the exact niche the Spurs need.
Graves can rebound well and hold down the paint with his seven-foot wingspan, allowing Wembanyama to roam and play with some freedom, but when the Frenchman wants to take over, Graves can step out and serve as a catch-and-shoot threat.
Of course, if all of his weapons were guaranteed to translate to the NBA, he would be a top five pick. His athleticism is lacking, and he doesn't really play above the rim, despite his imposing size. He's not the best finisher at the rim, and while the jumper looked solid in college, there might be some offensive growing pains.
In recent years, Santa Clara has been a hotbed for overlooked NBA talent, touting Jalen Williams and Brandin Podziemski, decades after Steve Nash got drafted.
The Spurs have hosted Graves for a workout, so he's clearly on their radar, and if the likes of Lendeborg or Karim Lopez aren't available when the Spurs make their pick, Graves is a safe bet who should appease the fan base and be ready to play spot minutes with the starters right away.
