Spurs Need to Solve an Imminent Problem in the NBA Draft

The San Antonio Spurs are hot and they’re the talk of the NBA right now, thanks to their performance against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern County Semifinals, which they won in double overtime, 122-115.

The Spurs and their fanbase are focused on the present, but they should also look ahead to the future. The NBA draft is on the way, and the team has the No. 20 selection.

In a mock draft from NBC Sports published on Monday, May 18, Raphielle Johnson and Kurt Helin have the Spurs taking forward and center Hannes Steinbach out of Washington. It’s worth noting that the next big date on the schedule is May 27, which is the withdrawal deadline day for college athletes who want to retain their eligibility.

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“If there’s one area that the Spurs can afford to address via the draft, it's the team’s post depth,” Johnson states. “Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee have not seen much action in the postseason, but all three will be unrestricted free agents this summer. In Steinbach, the Spurs would be adding one of the best rebounders in this draft class.”

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My Take: Why Spurs Would Benefit From Hannes Steinbach

Steinbach is really a great fit for the Spurs, because he’s a complement to the great Victor Wembanyama. Also, Steinbach stands out in an area that can make or break a team: rebounding. He’s shown a high-IQ passing and ability to rebound that could keep this team piping hot.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 1:18 PM.