Spurs Draft Quaintance at No. 20, Trade Up for No. 26 Reed After Finals Loss

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 24

San Antonio used two first-round picks to toughen its frontcourt, taking Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance at No. 20 and acquiring No. 26 to select UConn center Tarris Reed Jr.
The move followed a five-game NBA Finals loss to the Knicks, where repeated New York comebacks exposed the Spurs' interior resistance and rebounding depth.
Quaintance brings upside but also risk: the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks at Arizona State before a 2025 knee injury, and said he is unsure about training camp readiness.
Reed gives San Antonio a more immediate interior option after averaging 14.7 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks at UConn; Denver reportedly received the No. 35 pick and two future second-rounders.
The draft suggests the Spurs are prioritizing long-term defensive size around Victor Wembanyama rather than making a short-term reaction to their Finals defeat.