The San Antonio Spurs stayed quiet at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, choosing continuity over roster shakeups. But make no mistake - they’re still in a position to shape their future. With four picks in the upcoming draft, including a potentially valuable first-rounder and multiple second-round selections, San Antonio has the flexibility to either add young talent or make moves on draft night.
Here’s how their draft capital breaks down: the Spurs will receive the most favorable of three first-round picks - their own, Atlanta’s, or Cleveland’s. They also hold their own second-rounder, a second-round pick from either Utah or Portland, and a second-round pick swap. That’s plenty of ammo for a team already loaded with young talent and still building around Victor Wembanyama.
Now, with a mostly full roster and a clear focus on development, it’s likely that any second-rounders the Spurs select will either be stashed overseas, sent to the G League, or used in trades. But there’s one name that’s starting to generate buzz: Adam Atamna, a promising guard out of ASVEL in France.
Let’s be clear - Atamna doesn’t directly address the Spurs’ most glaring need. After waiving Jeremy Sochan and with Harrison Barnes approaching free agency, San Antonio could use a true power forward, someone who can rebound and bang inside next to Wembanyama. While Wemby is an elite rebounder, his perimeter-oriented game often pulls him away from the paint, leaving the Spurs thin on interior presence.
Atamna, at 6-foot-5, isn’t the answer in the frontcourt. But what he does bring is intriguing.
He’s shooting 35.5% from deep - a welcome stat for a Spurs team that ranks 22nd in the league in three-point percentage. He’s also averaging 8.8 points in just 16 minutes per game for ASVEL, showing flashes of scoring versatility that could translate to a bench role in the NBA.
There’s another layer here, too. ASVEL’s president is none other than Spurs legend Tony Parker, and the French connection to Wembanyama is well documented. That pipeline from France to San Antonio is alive and well, and Atamna could be the next player to make the jump.
Of course, Atamna would be a project. He’s still raw, especially on the defensive end, where his impact is limited.
But at just 18 years old, he has time to grow - and the Spurs have the infrastructure to help him do it. Pairing him with a backcourt mate like Dylan Harper off the bench could give San Antonio a young, dynamic duo to develop over time.
With Keldon Johnson spacing the floor on the wing, Atamna’s ability to create and shoot could add another layer to the second unit.
The Spurs have taken big swings on French talent before, and while Wembanyama is already a franchise cornerstone, others from his generation - like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Tidjane Salaün, and Zaccharie Risacher - haven’t quite lived up to the early hype. That doesn’t mean the well has run dry, but it does suggest that scouting and patience will be key.
For San Antonio, a second-round flyer on Atamna could be a low-risk, high-upside move. He’s not a sure thing, but he’s got the tools, the pedigree, and the connection to the Spurs’ growing international identity. With four picks in hand and a long-term vision in place, don’t be surprised if the Spurs roll the dice on another French prospect - one who just might fit their system better than expected.