As the San Antonio Spurs regroup following a tough NBA Cup Finals loss, there’s one major reason for optimism - and it’s coming straight from Atlanta.
Just a month ago, the Hawks were sitting pretty in third place in the Eastern Conference. But without star guard Trae Young, things have taken a sharp turn.
Atlanta’s slipped all the way to ninth, and while Young is expected back around Christmas, the damage may already be done. Losses are piling up, and in a crowded playoff race, every one of them matters.
Why does this matter so much to San Antonio? Because the Spurs hold swap rights with the Hawks in the 2026 NBA Draft - and they’re also owed an unprotected 2027 first-rounder from Atlanta. That’s the kind of long-term leverage that can help turn a good young team into a great one.
Right now, San Antonio owns the fourth-best record in the league. If the Hawks continue to slide and miss the playoffs, the Spurs could be in line to swap their own late first-round pick for a lottery selection. That’s a potential 11-spot jump in a draft class that scouts are already calling one of the strongest in recent years.
This all traces back to the 2022 trade that sent Dejounte Murray to Atlanta - a deal that’s quickly becoming one of the most valuable in Spurs franchise history. Last year, the Spurs used Atlanta’s pick to draft Carter Bryant, adding another promising piece to a young core built around Victor Wembanyama. Now, they might be in position to do it again.
And the timing couldn’t be better. The 2026 draft is widely projected to be deeper and more talent-rich than either the 2025 or 2024 classes. If the Spurs end up with another lottery pick - courtesy of Atlanta’s struggles - it could be a major step toward building something special in San Antonio.
There’s even more short-term incentive. The Spurs face the Hawks on December 19, and a second win over Atlanta this season wouldn’t just be a confidence boost - it would push the Hawks further down the standings, increasing the odds of that pick swap becoming a reality. Every Hawks loss is a quiet win for San Antonio’s front office.
It’s rare that a single trade can reshape the future of a franchise, but that’s exactly what the Murray deal is doing for the Spurs. It gave them the flexibility to bottom out and land Wembanyama, and it’s still generating value years later. If Atlanta misses the playoffs again, San Antonio could walk away with two lottery picks and an unprotected future first - all from one transaction.
So while the sting of the NBA Cup Finals loss still lingers, the Spurs have plenty to be excited about. Their young core is growing, Wembanyama is already looking like a generational talent, and thanks to Atlanta’s missteps, they may soon add another top-tier prospect to the mix.
The foundation is already in place - and the Hawks might just be helping build the next Spurs dynasty.