The Spurs’ No. 20 pick Jayden Quaintance will likely sit out most, if not all, of his rookie year after July meniscus surgery. Still, the former Kentucky big man joins three other draftees, and early signs show San Antonio’s rookie batch is already delivering.
During Monday’s preseason loss to Utah, No. 26 pick Tarris Reed Jr. hauled in 17 rebounds and four steals in just 24 minutes off the bench. Coaches praised his hustle, yet the ex‑UConn star felt he could have done more, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express‑News.
“Not to nitpick, but if this were UConn, Coach Dan Hurley would be yelling because I had 10 boards in the first half and eased off early in the second,” Reed said. “I could’ve walked away with 20‑25 rebounds, so I need to be better.”
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the 42nd overall pick, emerged as another reserve spark on Monday. He poured in 25 points on 9‑of‑14 shooting in 25 minutes, plus three assists and three steals. Whether he fits into San Antonio’s deep rotation remains uncertain, but he’s pressing his case throughout preseason, Orsborn notes.
“He embodies what we demand from every roster player—defensive intensity, ball‑sharing, pace, aggression,” head coach Mitch Johnson said. “He isn’t flawless, yet his confidence lands his energy where it counts, opening up chances and advantageous spots.”
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- Expectations for San Antonio have risen sharply heading into 2026‑27, and the franchise knows defending a Western Conference title won’t be easy, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Yet optimism runs high; the roster offers creative flexibility, Johnson observed. “We saw it with the three guards and what you can do around Victor (Wembanyama),” he added. “Those three are growing together, complementing each other.”
- 2025 lottery pick Carter Bryant logged modest minutes as a rookie, averaging 11.5 per game across 71 regular‑season outings off the bench. Now the club expects a leap in his second year, Orsborn reports, noting the 20‑year‑old’s “next‑play mentality.” “No one jumps from rookie to ‘Bron (LeBron James) in a year, but I expect him to make his jump,” teammate Julian Champagnie said. “He’s worked hard all summer, looks sharp in workouts, so I expect Carter to do Carter things.” Can Bryant emerge as a primary scorer next year?