Spurs rookies Quaintance, Reed Jr. and Brown face clear first-year tasks
The short version
- San Antonio drafted Jayden Quaintance (20th), Tarris Reed Jr. (26th, via trade with Denver) and Maliq Brown (44th) in 2026.
- Quaintance played only four games this past college season and will miss the start of the NBA season due to injury.
- Reed Jr. is an older, physical rookie who must prove his limited athleticism is not a liability.
- Brown's defensive skills are established, but he needs to develop into a more consistent offensive threat.
San Antonio's 2026 draft class enters the season with health, athleticism and offensive development as the key questions for each newcomer.
The San Antonio Spurs added three rookies in the 2026 NBA Draft despite coming off an NBA Finals appearance. Jayden Quaintance, Tarris Reed Jr. and Maliq Brown each bring different strengths and questions as they begin their first professional seasons.
Quaintance, the 20th overall pick out of Kentucky, is a six-foot-ten big man regarded as one of the class's top defensive prospects. Injuries cut short both of his college seasons, and he appeared in only four games this past year. He will miss the start of the NBA season, making a full recovery the priority for his rookie year rather than immediate on-court production.
Reed Jr., a six-foot-eleven center from UConn, joined the Spurs via a draft-day trade with the Denver Nuggets after being selected 26th overall. He is an older rookie with an NBA-ready frame and strong physicality, but questions remain about his limited explosiveness. His first-year task is to show that lack of vertical athleticism will not hold him back as a rim protector or finisher.
Brown, drafted 44th overall out of Duke, is a six-foot-nine forward known for his defensive motor, rebounding and disruptive hands in passing lanes. His challenge is on the other end of the floor, where his offensive game currently relies mostly on screen-and-roll play and passing from the post position.
