The anticipation for the 2026 NBA Draft is already building, and Spurs fans are likely scanning mock drafts with eager eyes. While the team may not have glaring weaknesses, there's always room for improvement, especially with a lottery pick in hand.
A recent mock draft from NBADraft.net suggests the Spurs might select guard Darius Acuff. At 6'3", Acuff is known for his scoring prowess, but he doesn't exactly fit the team's current needs. With De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper already holding down the guard spots, adding another guard doesn't seem like the most strategic move.
The real need for San Antonio lies in bolstering their power forward position. Fortunately, there are several promising power forwards projected to be available in the 10-15 range. This opens up plenty of opportunities for the Spurs to address this gap through the draft.
Focusing on Depth at Power Forward
When it comes to lottery picks, the general wisdom is to grab the best talent available. However, with San Antonio likely picking outside the top 10, perhaps around the 12th spot via the Atlanta Hawks, considering positional needs becomes crucial.
While they could explore free agency to fill the power forward slot, targeting this need in the draft could be more beneficial. The current rotation featuring Julian Champagne, Harrison Barnes, and Carter Bryant is decent, but Barnes’ potential departure and Bryant's readiness for a larger role are factors to consider.
Spotlight on Yaxel Lendeborg
Enter Yaxel Lendeborg, a versatile power forward who can shoot, defend, and distribute the ball. Despite being 24 by his rookie season, which might deter some rebuilding teams, Lendeborg's readiness to contribute immediately could be exactly what teams like the Spurs or Thunder are looking for.
Ultimately, the Spurs have several viable options beyond Acuff, especially with their existing guard depth. Adding a player like Lendeborg could provide the immediate impact and depth they need at power forward.