2 weeks ago Features

Final 2026 NBA Draft Big Board for the San Antonio Spurs

Dailyn Swain could be drafted by the Spurs tonight (Photo via X)

By LJ Ellis

The San Antonio Spurs enter the 2026 NBA Draft with four picks: No. 20 in the first round and No. 35, No. 42 and No. 44 in the second round. While the Spurs lost in the Finals, the rebuild is mostly completed — and that may mean that San Antonio has a new strategy in the draft. 

In this final Big Board, let’s take a look at who the Spurs may be eyeing tonight.

  1. Cameron Boozer, Duke – 6-foot-9, 253 pounds, 18.9 years old
  2. AJ Dybantsa, BYU – 6-foot-9, 217 pounds, 19.4 years old
  3. Darryn Peterson, Kansas – 6-foot-5, 199 pounds, 19.4 years old
  4. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina – 6-foot-10, 211 pounds, 19.9 years old

No changes at the top. These remain the clear first four names on the board. The Spurs aren’t moving into this range so this tier is mostly theoretical. Boozer stays No. 1 because of the production, physicality, basketball IQ and clean fit. Dybantsa has the highest wing upside, Peterson is the best guard prospect in the class and Wilson offers the size-plus-skill package that would be easy to like in San Antonio.

  1. Keaton Wagler, Illinois – 6-foot-5, 188 pounds, 19.4 years old
  2. Brayden Burries, Arizona – 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, 20.8 years old
  3. Kingston Flemings, Houston – 6-foot-3, 183 pounds, 19.5 years old
  4. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville – 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, 20.2 years old
  5. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas – 6-foot-2, 186 pounds, 19.6 years old

This guard tier remains mostly unchanged, though Flemings jumps Brown by a slot. Wagler still looks like the cleanest Spurs fit because he brings size, shooting and feel. Burries is strong, productive and has enough defensive potential to make sense. Flemings has the speed and competitiveness San Antonio could value, while Brown’s shooting keeps him in this range despite an uneven season. Acuff can score, but the roster fit would be tough.

The Spurs already have De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. That’s why this tier is out of reach in a practical sense.

  1. Nate Ament, Tennessee – 6-foot-10, 211 pounds, 19.5 years old
  2. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan – 6-foot-9, 251 pounds, 20.4 years old
  3. Aday Mara, Spain / Michigan – 7-foot-3, 260 pounds, 21.2 years old

This is the first tier that will get San Antonio’s attention on draft night. Ament has a rare archetype as a 6-foot-10 forward who can handle, draw fouls and maybe become a real shooter. Johnson is more practical because he rebounds, plays with strength and could probably help sooner. Mara is the wild card because 7-foot-3 passers who can protect the rim don’t come around often.

These players are unlikely to drop to No. 20 but the Spurs will surely bounce if any of the three drop.

  1. Karim López, New Zealand – 6-foot-9, 222 pounds, 19.2 years old

Lopez remains the top realistic target on the board. He isn’t a perfect prospect, but the combination of youth, size, toughness, pro experience and feel is difficult to ignore. The jumper still needs work and he’s more of a good athlete than a great athlete, but big forwards who can rebound, pass and play through contact are always valuable.

  1. Dailyn Swain, Texas – 6-foot-7, 211 pounds, 20.9 years old

Swain rises from No. 16 to No. 14. He is older than some of the prospects in this range, and the jumper is still a legitimate concern, but downhill ability from someone of his size is hard to find at this point in the draft.

Swain can get into the paint, draw help and put pressure on defenses in a way San Antonio could use from the wing position. If the Spurs believe the free throw touch eventually translates to an improved three-point shot, he becomes one of the more interesting options at No. 20.

  1. Cameron Carr, Baylor – 6-foot-5, 184 pounds, 21.6 years old

Carr also rises two spots. The Spurs could use a wing who shoots, runs, cuts and finishes, and that’s the appeal here. He has a 7-foot-1 wingspan, serious athletic pop and a jumper that should translate. He also helped himself in the pre-draft process by being the best player in the scrimmages at the combine.

The concerns are still there. Carr is thin, not a high-level processor yet and has to become more reliable defensively. But if San Antonio wants someone who might be able to help earlier than most of the players in this range, he belongs this high.

  1. Allen Graves, Santa Clara – 6-foot-8, 226 pounds, 19.9 years old

Graves slides one spot, but that’s more about Swain and Carr rising than any real drop in his stock. The analytical case remains extremely strong. He rebounds, passes, creates extra possessions and produced at a high level as a teenager.

The concern is still the eye test. He isn’t a smooth athlete and doesn’t always look like a traditional NBA forward. That said, the hands, instincts and processing speed are real, and I’ve heard from scouts that he has been interviewing really well. Add that to his youth, production and fit, and Graves is tempting at No. 20.

  1. Chris Cenac Jr., Houston – 6-foot-11, 240 pounds, 19.4 years old

Cenac falls from No. 14 to No. 17. The tools are obvious and San Antonio will always be interested in young, long, high character players who work hard and have real upside. The issue is how far away he appears to be.

For a contender, waiting on a long-term project is difficult. The Spurs can afford more patience than most good teams because Wembanyama is still young, but Cenac’s lack of physicality, questionable defensive instincts and slow-developing feel make him a more difficult bet. At No. 20, he’d be understandable. He just feels a little more risky than many other players in this range.

  1. Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky – 6-foot-9, 253 pounds, 19.0 years old

Quaintance makes one of the biggest jumps on the board, moving from No. 24 to No. 18. The reason is simple: if his knee holds up, he’d be a near perfect backup center for Wembanyama.

Before the ACL tear, it wouldn’t have been much of an exaggeration to say Wembanyama and Quaintance were the two best defensive prospects on earth. Obviously, Wembanyama was in a category of his own overall, but JQ’s ability to block shots, switch and cover ground was special. His offense may never be more than lobs and putbacks, but if the Spurs think he can give them 10 to 15 minutes per game by the 2027-28 season, he becomes justifiable at No. 20 and a dream gamble at No. 35.

  1. Isaiah Evans, Duke – 6-foot-6, 186 pounds, 20.5 years old

Evans is probably the best wing shooter in the draft, and the Spurs will need shooting around Wembanyama for the next decade. That’s enough to keep him firmly in the No. 20 conversation.

The question is whether he does enough else. Evans is skinny, not especially physical and could struggle defensively until he adds strength. But if San Antonio decides spacing is the priority, this is the cleanest shooting bet in this range.

  1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan – 6-foot-9, 241 pounds, 23.7 years old

Lendeborg moves up one spot, but the same concerns remain. On the court, the fit is easy to understand. He’s strong, productive, versatile and should be able to help sooner than anyone else outside of the top three.

The question is the whole package. There have been enough whispers about his personality being “unique” that it’s fair to wonder whether San Antonio would be comfortable adding him to their mix. The Spurs care about culture and locker room fit. If Lendeborg checks out in that department, he could be higher. If not, this might already be too high.

  1. Hannes Steinbach, Washington – 6-foot-11, 248 pounds, 20.1 years old

Steinbach is young, productive and an excellent rebounder with terrific hands. Offensively, there’s more here than the average big man prospect. He can pass, screen, work out of the elbows and may eventually stretch the floor enough to matter.

The problem is the defensive fit. A big who isn’t a natural rim protector and doesn’t have great lateral quickness is tough to pair with (or behind) Wembanyama.

  1. Tarris Reed Jr., UConn – 6-foot-10, 264 pounds, 22.9 years old
  2. Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s – 6-foot-8, 245 pounds, 22.2 years old

Reed and Ejiofor are the biggest risers among the bigs. Reed moves from No. 32 to No. 22, while Eojiofor jumps from No. 34 to No. 23. That’s a major adjustment, but it reflects the reality of San Antonio’s roster. The Spurs could use a backup center who is ready to compete sooner rather than later.

Reed is stronger, more physical and probably more prepared to push Luke Kornet for minutes as a rookie. Ejiofor is smaller, but he plays hard, blocks shots and has more passing feel than expected. Both have flaws — Reed doesn’t shoot and Ejiofor has to rebound better defensively — but both could make sense if San Antonio wants a big who doesn’t need years of seasoning.

  1. Sergio de Larrea, Spain – 6-foot-6, 204 pounds, 20.6 years old

De Larrea is still one of the more interesting players in San Antonio’s range because he can dribble, pass and shoot at 6-foot-6. The passing is the selling point. The Spurs could use another player who can connect possessions and make quick reads, especially if he’s open to a draft-and-stash arrangement. Brian Wright liked Juan Nunez enough to draft him a couple years ago and de Larrea is a bigger, more complete version of that general archetype. At No. 20, he’d be a little aggressive. At No. 35, he’d be a really strong pick.

  1. Henri Veesaar, North Carolina – 7-foot-0, 227 pounds, 22.2 years old

Veesaar is tall, mobile enough and has real touch. The shooting numbers and passing flashes make him a different type of center than the other bigs around this area of the draft.

The obvious worry is defense. Veesaar isn’t strong, doesn’t rebound like you’d hope and may not hold up physically against NBA centers right away. Still, if the Spurs want a skilled backup perimeter-friendly big, this is a name worth monitoring.

  1. Koa Peat, Arizona – 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, 19.4 years old

Peat is the biggest faller, dropping from No. 19 to No. 26. The pedigree remains impressive. He’s young, strong, smart and has won everywhere he has played. That keeps him in the top 30.

The jumper is the problem. The more scouts study it, the less encouraging it looks. The comparison that keeps coming up is Jeremy Sochan’s form, and that is not a compliment. A smaller Sochan isn’t the ideal way to use pick No. 20. 

  1. Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia – 6-foot-11, 237 pounds, 21.7 years old

Onyenso moves up a few spots because the fit is too clean to ignore. He is the best shot blocker in the draft, and San Antonio needs rim protection when Wembanyama sits. That’s the entire case, and it’s a pretty strong one.

There are limitations. Onyenso doesn’t score much, isn’t a great rebounder for his size and probably won’t provide much offensively beyond lobs. But the shot-blocking is elite. Add in the NBA Africa Academy connection and he makes a lot of sense in the second round. If Quaintance’s knee doesn’t check out, Onyenso might be the next best alternative. 

  1. Christian Anderson Jr., Texas Tech – 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, 20.2 years old
  2. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa – 6-foot-3, 186 pounds, 22.7 years old
  3. Ebuka Okorie, Stanford – 6-foot-2, 186 pounds, 19.2 years old
  4. Meleek Thomas, Arkansas – 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, 19.9 years old
  5. Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama – 6-foot-3, 176 pounds, 20.6 years old

It’s difficult to imagine the Spurs targeting a small guard — that’s why these five have landed here in limbo. Anderson can really shoot. Stirtz is steady, efficient and smart. Okorie is the under-discussed freshman with real production. Thomas can score in bunches. Philon has craft and finishing ability.

  1. Jack Kayil, Germany – 6-foot-5, 189 pounds, 20.4 years old

Kayil drops a couple spots but remains a worthwhile second round name. The main appeal is that he’s still young-ish in a section of the board filled with older prospects.

The German guard has size, some creativity and possible stash value. The shot and decision-making need work, but if San Antonio wants to keep a second rounder overseas instead of adding another rookie to the roster right away, Kayil makes sense.

  1. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State – 6-foot-8, 246 pounds, 22.6 years old

Jefferson’s feel is still intriguing. He’s strong, smart and a very good passer for his size, and his assist and steal numbers are difficult to ignore. The problem is the athleticism. Jefferson doesn’t have much lift, doesn’t pressure the rim and needs the jumper to keep improving. 

  1. Baba Miller, Cincinnati – 6-foot-11, 208 pounds, 22.4 years old
  2. Alex Karaban, UConn – 6-foot-7, 225 pounds, 23.6 years old
  3. Richie Saunders, BYU – 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, 24.8 years old

This group that has seemingly been prospects since the beginning of time remains a bit interesting. Miller still has the most tools. He’s 6-foot-11, moves well and can defend multiple positions, but the jumper still hasn’t arrived. Karaban is the low-mistake UConn forward who might be useful if can shoot and not be a traffic cone on D. Saunders is old and coming off a torn ACL, but before the injury he could shoot, score and defend better than expected for his size.

  1. Ryan Conwell, Louisville – 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, 22.0 years old
  2. Emanuel Sharp, Houston – 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, 22.3 years old
  3. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State – 6-foot-0, 223 pounds, 22.8 years old

Conwell is undersized for an off-ball guard, but he’s strong, long enough and willing to shoot from anywhere. Sharp has a battle tested 3-and-D profile but he’s short. Thornton is even shorter but he’s built like a tank and thus has a chance to survive physically.

  1. Felix Okpara, Tennessee – 6-foot-10, 237 pounds, 22.2 years old

Another center possibility, Okpara has size, length and enough athleticism to play a simple rim-running, shot-blocking role.

  1. Maliq Brown, Duke – 6-foot-8, 217 pounds, 22.6 years old
  2. Dillon Mitchell, St. John’s – 6-foot-7, 202 pounds, 22.7 years old
  3. Trevon Brazile, Arkansas – 6-foot-10, 226 pounds, 23.5 years old
  4. Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida – 6-foot-9, 219 pounds, 22.7 years old

This is the defense-and-athleticism section. Brown has the best defensive instincts of the group and creates a ton of havoc with his hands. Mitchell is a big-time athlete who can defend, cut and run. Brazile has the most theoretical upside because of his length, bounce and flashes of skill. Nelson is long and active but faces more translation questions.

  1. Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State – 6-foot-5, 189 pounds, 24.6 years old

Nkrumah is new to the board. He’s old and skinny, which obviously works against him, but the defensive playmaking is interesting enough to include him late. The appeal is simple: he gets his hands on everything. Nkrumah has the tools and instincts to be a disruptive wing defender, and if the shot improvement is real, there’s a faint 3-and-D pathway. 

  1. Vsevolod Ishchenko, Russia – 6-foot-8, 218 pounds, 21.4 years old

The Spurs have three second round picks, and that makes international stash options more interesting than usual. Ishchenko has legit forward size and enough skill to be somewhat intriguing. 

  1. Tobias Jensen, Denmark – 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, 22.1 years old

Another draft-and-stash option, Jensen is a 6-foot-6 international wing who is in a good position to marinate overseas. 

  1. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee – 6-foot-0, 182 pounds, 22.3 years old
  2. Braden Smith, Purdue – 5-foot-11, 167 pounds, 22.9 years old

Gillespie and Smith are the emergency third string point guard options at the end of the board. Gillespie has shooting, competitiveness and enough playmaking to be worth a look. Smith is tiny, but he’s one of the best passers in the class and plays with outstanding control.