San Antonio Spurs secured UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. with the No. 26 pick on June 24, 2026, hoping his rim‑protection will ease the load on Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs entered the night after a 90-94 defeat to the New York Knicks on June 14, 2026, and a recent 1W‑0D‑4L stretch that left them searching for depth in the paint.
How did the Spurs acquire Reed?
Denver originally selected Reed at No. 26, then traded his rights to San Antonio for the No. 35 pick and two second‑rounders. The move stacked the frontcourt, pairing Reed with Kentucky transfer Jayden Quaintance, who went earlier in the first round. While both are 6‑foot‑10, the Spurs lacked a reliable backup for the 7‑foot‑4 Wembanyama, prompting the front office to act aggressively.
What does Reed bring to San Antonio?
Reed finished the 2025‑26 season leading the Big East in block percentage and posted one of the highest combined block‑and‑steal rates in the nation. His defensive instincts should translate to immediate minutes, especially as veteran Luke Kornet saw limited action in the playoffs. Reed’s ability to alter shots in the low‑post could allow the Spurs to rotate Wembanyama more often, preserving the French star’s stamina for the grind of a full NBA schedule.
How does Reed compare with Quaintance?
Quaintance impressed with a 45% field‑goal rate as a freshman at Arizona State, but an ACL repair in March 2025 and a cautious knee rehab limited his college exposure to just 28 games. Reed, by contrast, arrives with a polished defensive toolkit and no major injury history. If Quaintance’s knee holds up, the two could form a versatile tandem; if not, Reed is poised to claim the primary backup role.
What are the next steps for the Spurs?
Head coach Gregg Popovich will likely integrate Reed into the rotation during preseason scrimmages, testing his chemistry with Wembanyama in pick‑and‑roll scenarios. The Spurs also need to decide on the futures of 7‑footers Kelly Olynyk and Mason Plumlee, whose contracts expire after this season. Reed’s arrival adds a fresh defensive anchor, giving Popovich more options as San Antonio looks to rebound from a recent slump and chase a deeper playoff run.
Will Reed see early minutes?
Given Quaintance’s limited game‑time and the Spurs’ thin backup depth, Reed could log meaningful minutes by the season’s opening night. His block‑percentage, which topped the Big East, suggests he can protect the rim against elite wing players, a skill the Spurs desperately need after allowing the largest comeback in NBA history last year.
The Spurs’ front office has bet on youth and defensive upside. If Reed adapts quickly, San Antonio may finally have a reliable second‑string center to keep Wembanyama fresh for the grind of a full NBA campaign.