The Spurs Are Rising - But the 2022 NBA Draft Still Haunts Them
The San Antonio Spurs are finally turning the corner. Victor Wembanyama has already staked his claim as one of the top five players in the league, and the roster around him is starting to take shape with a promising mix of young talent and seasoned vets.
The rebuild is starting to feel real. But even as the future looks bright, the shadow of the 2022 NBA Draft still looms large - and it’s a reminder that not every step forward comes without a few stumbles along the way.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Before the Spurs hit the jackpot with Wembanyama, they were sitting on three first-round picks in 2022 - No.
9, No. 20, and No. 25.
That kind of draft capital is gold for a team in transition. Even without a shot at Paolo Banchero or Chet Holmgren, the Spurs were in prime position to add multiple core pieces to their rebuild.
Instead, they walked away with a trio of players who, to this point, haven’t lived up to the billing.
The Misses That Still Sting
Start with the No. 20 pick: Malaki Branham. The Ohio State product showed flashes early, but he’s now a fringe rotation player on a struggling Washington team.
That’s not the kind of trajectory you hope for from a mid-first-rounder. The Spurs cut bait this past summer, moving him in what amounted to a salary dump.
Then there’s Blake Wesley at No. 25 - a high-upside swing that hasn’t connected. Wesley has played in just seven games this season and is fighting to stay in the league.
Like Branham, he was moved this past offseason. Two picks, two players no longer in San Antonio.
But the one that really stings? No. 9 overall: Jeremy Sochan.
Sochan came into the league with a reputation as a versatile defender and intriguing playmaker - a positionless Swiss Army knife with upside. The Spurs tried him everywhere: point guard, forward, even small-ball center.
But heading into his fourth season, the offensive development just hasn’t come. He’s averaging 4.2 points per game in a limited role and has slid to the edge of the rotation.
What Could Have Been
The tough part isn’t just that the Spurs missed - it’s who they missed on. This 2022 class has blossomed in a big way, and the players San Antonio passed on are now making real noise across the league.
Let’s start with Jalen Williams. Taken three spots after Sochan at No.
12, Williams has become a two-way force. He was the second-best player on a title-winning team last season and continues to grow into one of the league’s premier wings.
He’s the kind of player the Spurs hoped Sochan could become - only he’s already there.
Then there’s Jalen Duren, picked 13th by Detroit. He’s blossomed into an All-Star caliber big man, dominating the paint with power and polish.
Just imagine pairing Duren with Wembanyama in the frontcourt - a twin towers setup with rim protection, rebounding, and interior scoring. That’s the kind of front line that gives opposing coaches nightmares.
Look a little further down the board, and the misses keep piling up.
Tari Eason, picked 17th by the Rockets, has become exactly what the Spurs envisioned in Sochan - a defensive menace who can hit open threes and thrive in transition. He’d be a perfect fit in San Antonio’s system, especially as a change-of-pace weapon alongside Harrison Barnes or running the break with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
And then there’s Christian Braun, taken just one pick after Branham. Braun has carved out a critical role in Denver, locking up opposing wings and spacing the floor next to Nikola Jokic.
He just signed a big extension - the kind of payday you give to a foundational role player. Wemby would thrive with someone like Braun on the wing, defending and knocking down open looks.
Walker Kessler came off the board right after Braun. He’s already a dependable starting center - another example of the kind of rim presence the Spurs could’ve used alongside Wembanyama.
And at No. 25, the Wesley pick looks even rougher in hindsight. Andrew Nembhard, taken shortly after, has already started in the NBA Finals and looks like a long-term piece in Indiana. He’s a poised, intelligent guard who would pair beautifully with Fox in the backcourt.
The list keeps growing. Peyton Watson is breaking out in Denver this season, showing elite defensive chops and real on-ball creativity.
And he’s knocking down 42.8% of his threes as a 6’8” wing. That’s the kind of skillset that gets you paid - and Watson’s about to cash in.
Drafts Are a Gamble - But This One Still Hurts
Now, to be fair: no team bats 1.000 in the draft. Even the best front offices miss.
And to the Spurs’ credit, they’ve done a much better job in recent years. Wembanyama was a no-brainer, but they’ve also made smart moves around him.
You can debate Kon Knueppel vs. Dylan Harper, but both look like potential stars.
Still, the 2022 class feels like a major missed opportunity. If San Antonio had walked away with just one of Jalen Williams, Christian Braun, or Peyton Watson, the outlook might be even brighter than it already is.
The Spurs are on the rise. Wembanyama is the kind of generational talent that can cover a lot of sins.
But the 2022 draft is a blemish that still lingers. Whether they decide to move on from Sochan at the trade deadline or let him walk in free agency, it’s clear the franchise is ready to turn the page.
The future’s still bright in San Antonio - but it could’ve been brilliant if 2022 had gone just a little differently.