Spurs must chase these game-changing prospects with the 20th overall pick

The San Antonio Spurs have their hands full with the New York Knicks. Nevertheless, they will soon be selecting 20th in the 2026 NBA Draft with several strong prospects to choose from.

If the playoffs are any indication, San Antonio could use more depth at power forward and center. Luckily, there are several intriguing prospects that could fit the bill and give San Antonio a boost as soon as next season.

Spurs prospect: Morez Johnson Jr.

Michigan power forward Morez Johnson Jr. could be available at 20 and deserves consideration by the Spurs. The appeal of Johnson Jr. is that he is a physical forward who plays hard, rebounds well, and just maybe will develop into a 3-point shooter.

On a per-minute basis, he ranks as one of the most productive players in the country, boasting an eye-popping 25.2 P.E.R. and averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in just 25.1 minutes per game.

He has been labeled a tweener by some. Skeptics believe that he is too small to play center and not quick enough to guard floor-spacing fours in the NBA. That isn't necessarily true, though he is more of a traditional power forward.

Johnson Jr. projects to be a solid pick and roll big man who can provide vertical spacing by diving into the paint and finishing at the rim. He can also run the floor, attack the offensive glass, and even switch defensively.

Those are all useful skills for a big man to have, and any playoff team could use a player like that. Particularly the Spurs. The potential is definitely there for him to be a strong fit on a good team, and he would be an ideal fit on the Spurs if he's still available at 20.

Spurs prospect: Allen Graves

Santa Clara forward Allen Graves is an advanced stats darling, even if he doesn't always pop using the eye test. The 19-year-old 6'9" forward is a bit of an enigma. He averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 41.3% from three in 22.3 minutes per game.

More impressively, he averaged an amazing 2.7 stocks per game despite being among the slowest players in the draft. He has drawn some comparisons to former Spur Kyle Anderson in that regard as an unathletic four.

One who has a knack for the ball defensively, although he is foul-prone. On a great defense, he could potentially hold up, which is his biggest question mark. Still, that is the sticking point for many with his game.

He struggles in college to defend on the perimeter and could get lit up in the NBA. That would be less of an issue on the Spurs with Victor Wembanyama and several good perimeter defenders. Graves could potentially thrive playing off-ball defensively thanks to his length and high basketball IQ.

At 20, he may be a bit of a gamble for the Spurs. But as a better shooting version of Anderson, who himself had a solid stint with the team, Graves would be an intriguing prospect for San Antonio.

Spurs prospect: Koa Peat

If the Spurs return to the Arizona well, they could draft Wildcat forward Koa Peat. San Antonio selected Carter Bryant last season out of Arizona, and he's done nothing to dissuade them from doing it again.

Peat's game is reminiscent of Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, which is intriguing and also somewhat concerning. The major difference is that Peat is 6'8", 240 lb, and has a nearly 7-foot wingspan.

Like Johnson, he plays bullyball, using his strong frame to finish through contact at the rim. He also is a terrific roll man and a lob threat. Peat is able to put the ball on the floor some and seems to prefer the mid-range even though he isn't especially efficient there.

As for 3-point shooting, he hit just seven threes, and it takes him forever to get his shot off, with him catching, then bending his knees before finally launching. Color me skeptical that he will become a good 3-point shooter in the NBA with quicker, longer, and faster defenders and a further 3-point line.

Defensively, he has good length and can guard NBA fours, some centers, and possibly switch some on the perimeter. However, he might struggle if taken off the dribble against explosive wings.

Ultimately, Peat is a talented and physical finisher and can score in the mid-range but is by no means elite. He has a questionable 3-point shot but has defensive versatility. He's a bit of a mixed bag, but there is potential for him to be a good NBA role player.

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