Spurs' 2026 draft may just be repeat of years old disaster

The San Antonio Spurs decided to take two big men in the 20s with question marks in the 2026 NBA Draft, and it could easily be a repeat of exactly what happened in 2022 with Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. The two wings lasted just three years in San Antonio before being traded to the Wizards with a second-round draft pick attached to dump them. It turned out to be a disastrous 2022 draft for the Spurs, and history may have just repeated itself.

Unlike 2026, the Spurs had the ninth pick to go with two firsts in the 20s in 2022. They took Jeremy Sochan early, who was dumped during his fourth season. San Antonio hoped Sochan’s playmaking could take a step forward, but it never happened. Draft night in 2022 is one the Spurs would love to forget as all three first-round picks were misses.

There were questions about Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr. coming into the draft, just like there were about Branham and Wesley. For the two wings, experts debated their shooting, efficiency, and strength. The 2026 prospects have different weaknesses, but they could prevent them from becoming long-term pieces around Victor Wembanyama.

Jayden Quaintance’s questionable offensive game and injuries could be problems

Quaintance played just four games last season because of an ACL injury, and there are questions about whether he will suit up at all during his NBA rookie year. The 6’10 big man plays more like a five, but he is built more like a four. Being undersized with a questionable injury history is not a great way to start his career.

His limited offensive game and lack of vertical pop could be problems. He is much like the 2022 20th overall pick. Draft experts were questioning Wesley's mid-range-heavy game and lack of athleticism. Quaintance likes to shoot, but struggles to make jumpers.

Add in a questionable injury history, and the Spurs could quickly be looking to move on from the 2026 selection. Quaintance has defensive upside and is only 19, but so was Branham as a rookie. It is all about improving your game, which will be difficult if the player can’t stay on the floor.

The Spurs took a risk on Quaintance, just like they did with Branham. They were both the 20th pick, and this year’s selection could end in similar disaster.

Tarris Reed Jr. needs to develop swing skills Blake Wesley didn’t

Wesley was a plus-defender coming out of college, but his offensive game was a question mark. He needed a jump shot to stick in an NBA rotation. After four years, Wesley has made just 29.4 percent of his 201 3-point attempts, which is exactly why he’s available in free agency.

Reed Jr. must improve defensively to stick in the NBA. The 6’11 big man has strength, but lacks the athleticism teams are searching for. He could be more Goga Bitadze than Alperen Sengun. If he struggles too much defensively, things could fall apart. Lacking confidence is an easy way to play below expectations and find yourself on the chopping block.

The difference between a backup big man and one out of the NBA is slim. Tarris Reed Jr. won’t be a starter with Victor Wembanyama on the Spurs roster. San Antonio clearly views this as a position of need, which makes things even tougher on the 23-year-old rookie. Reed must produce or the Spurs will move on.

Finding a gem in the 20s is possible but not easy

The 2022 draft shows evidence of how selecting in the late first round pans out. Seven of the ten players taken from 20 to 29 are virtually out of the NBA after four years. Walker Kessler just got a massive contract from the Lakers. Christian Braun and Nikola Jovic are role players. The 30th pick, Peyton Watson, is hoping to land a massive contract in restricted free agency. There are no slam dunks left when picking in the 20s.

Picks in the 20s can turn into stars. Look no further than Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Johnson since 2020. It is possible, but the most likely outcome is landing a fringe player that may be done in the NBA by the end of his rookie deal.

The San Antonio Spurs clearly identified an area of need and took two bites at the apple in the 2026 NBA Draft. They did the same in 2022 and got virtually nothing out of it. The parallels are similar, and fans must keep their expectations in check. The Spurs may have just repeated a bit of history that nobody wants to experience again. All fans can do is hope that the team learned from their mistakes. Only time will tell the tale.

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