Spurs made a critical draft-day mistake that could haunt them

San Antonio has a roster spot not being utilized in any way, shape, or form, other than to allow Bismack Biyombo to hang out with some cool guys making a run through the Western Conference. He's a veteran in this league, so it's not like he's going to develop into a key role player the team can lean on later, but they could have been developing Maxime Reynaud for that very purpose.

Biyombo has played 51 seconds total over the last 11 games. He's also only seen the floor in 11 total contests this season. When the team picked him up, it was seen as insurance for Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, but they also hoped to actually use him from time to time in certain matchups. He hasn't been very good in those stints, so now, he just kinda hangs out on the bench.

Imagine my surprise this week when I went to check the NBA Rookie Ladder to see how Dylan Harper was faring, only to see Reynaud in the sixth spot on said ladder. He's averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds on 56% shooting. I couldn't help but think about what could and should have been in a silver and black uniform.

Reynaud was an obvious pick the Spurs just passed on

Entering the offseason, everyone from the San Antonio faithful to Victor Wembanyama himself knew he needed a suitable backup. Names like Guerschon Yabusele, Kristaps Porzingis, and more were all over the rumor mill, but they weren't the only ones.

Wemby and Reynaud, with ties rooted in their French heritage, have a relationship, reportedly working out together over the summer. Maxime was projected as a second-round pick, but the intrigue around him increased prior to the draft. He still seemed raw, but there was clearly a lot of talent there, and the Spurs, with plenty of room on their roster at the time, had the 38th selection in their back pocket.

Instead of adding Max to the team, they opted to trade away the pick to Indiana for a future second-round pick in 2030. Reynaud ended up being selected 42nd and went to the Sacramento Kings—a place you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Despite his landing spot, he's been producing and looks like a bona fide NBA player.

He's not going to be a star. He's not supposed to be. But his pro-comparison is Luke Kornet; only he has the shooting form and free-throw percentage to make you believe that he can develop into a reliable shooter at 7'1".

So, in short, the Spurs could have had Wembanyama and two Luke Kornets, with one of them being young with the potential to add a jump shot. Reynaud wouldn't have gotten as much time now as he is with the Kings, but he would have eventually been the successor to Kornet when he left.

By that time, I could see him being even better than Luke, and San Antonio would still be set at the backup center spot for years to come. Instead, they opted for Biyombo, who doesn't even play. Who knows what they'll do with that 2030 second-round pick from Indiana, but right now, it looks like the Spurs missed another draft day opportunity.