If the San Antonio Spurs’ electric 21-7 start hasn’t already turned heads, their long-term outlook should have the rest of the NBA paying close attention. This isn’t just a team that’s winning games-it’s a team building something special. And at the heart of it all is a youth movement that’s as promising as any we’ve seen in recent years.
The trio of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper-all still in their early twenties-is the kind of core franchises dream about. Wembanyama, with his generational length and skillset, is already redefining what it means to be a modern big.
Castle brings two-way tenacity and poise beyond his years, while Harper adds offensive creativity and a fearless mentality. Together, they’ve given the Spurs not just a foundation, but a launchpad.
But the Spurs’ future isn’t just about who’s already wearing Silver and Black. One of the most valuable assets in their war chest is a 2026 pick swap with the Atlanta Hawks-and that piece might be aging like fine wine.
The Hawks’ Slide Could Be San Antonio’s Jackpot
As of December 22, Atlanta has dropped three straight and lost seven of their last ten. What started as a promising season has quickly veered off course.
The Hawks opened the year looking like a potential top-six team in the East, a group expected to avoid the Play-In Tournament altogether. But that early optimism has faded fast.
Trae Young’s return from an early-season injury hasn’t sparked the turnaround Atlanta hoped for. Once the focal point of the offense and the face of the franchise, Young’s presence hasn’t translated to wins.
In fact, the Hawks haven’t won a game with him back in the lineup. Whether it’s chemistry issues, defensive lapses, or a lack of cohesion, the team just isn’t clicking.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference is heating up. Teams like Indiana, Orlando, and even Brooklyn are pushing hard, making it increasingly difficult for Atlanta to claw its way back into the top six. If their slide continues, the Hawks could very well find themselves stuck in the Play-In-and that’s exactly where the Spurs want them.
Another Lottery Pick Could Be the Missing Piece
San Antonio’s roster is already in a great place. They’ve got star power, a smart coaching staff, and a system that’s starting to hum.
But even with all that momentum, there’s still room to grow-especially when it comes to adding another long, versatile wing who can defend and stretch the floor. A lottery pick in the 2026 draft could give them just that.
And here’s where it gets really interesting: if the Hawks keep falling, the Spurs’ odds of landing that high-impact player go way up. That pick swap could land them in the top half of the lottery-possibly even in the top five. For a team already ahead of schedule in its rebuild, that’s the kind of opportunity that could accelerate the timeline from “promising” to “powerhouse.”
Think about it. While much of the league has been focused on Oklahoma City as the next great young team, San Antonio has quietly been assembling a roster that could rival-or even surpass-the Thunder’s trajectory. Another top-tier draft pick could give the Spurs the depth and flexibility to make serious noise not just next season, but for years to come.
So while the wins keep piling up in San Antonio, fans might want to keep one eye on Atlanta’s standings. Every Hawks loss brings the Spurs one step closer to adding another elite talent to their already-loaded core.
The present is bright in San Antonio-but the future? That might be blinding.