After a long drought of six years without a playoff appearance and nine years since their last series win, the San Antonio Spurs have made a remarkable comeback, reaching the 2026 NBA Finals. This franchise, known for its consistency, had never missed the playoffs in consecutive years until this challenging period, but now it’s a different story.
In contrast to their Finals opponents, the New York Knicks, who have benefited from a significant trade and a savvy signing of free agent Jalen Brunson, the Spurs have built their team primarily through the draft. Aside from the trade for De’Aaron Fox last season, their key players have mostly been homegrown talent.
The NBA Draft Lottery has shaped the Spurs’ success
It’s hard not to envy San Antonio when you examine their recent first-round draft picks.
- 2023: Victor Wembanyama, 1st overall
- 2024: Stephon Castle, 4th overall
- 2025: Dylan Harper, 2nd overall
Wembanyama appears to be transforming the franchise and is on track to becoming a standout player. Moreover, Castle and Harper seem like perfect complements to him for the long term.
The Spurs have a history with the lottery; every time they’ve had a top-8 pick, they’ve moved up. This ritual seems to have worked, as they moved up just enough in the Wembanyama race and then again for Castle. Harper, drafted second after a challenging season, was also a welcome addition, despite narrowly missing out on a top pick himself.
This moment could be historic, potentially marking the last of such a trio of top talents.
Draft lottery reforms challenge future prospects
To discourage tanking and lessen reliance on G League players late in the season, the NBA has introduced comprehensive changes to the draft lottery. Recently, they’ve approved a new system that seems complex enough to rival even salary cap regulations.
Under the new rules set for the 2027-2029 drafts, teams cannot secure the No. 1 overall pick in consecutive years, nor can any team select in the top five for three years in a row. If these rules had been in place earlier, Harper wouldn’t have ended up with the Spurs.
There’s another nuance to this rule that is already making an impact on trades.
These restrictions apply only to each team’s own picks, whether held by that team or traded to another.
The Memphis Grizzlies recently picked third overall, having acquired a promising first-round pick for 2027 from the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz held the No. 2 pick this year and the No. 5 pick last year, restricting their potential lottery pick next season to a maximum of No. 6 if they slip again.
Essentially, this could mean that teams might be penalized for acquiring valuable draft picks via trades, regardless of whether they’ve intentionally underperformed.
The Spurs’ strength extends beyond top lottery picks
Keldon Johnson, this year’s Sixth Man of the Year, along with rookie Carter Bryant and starting forward Devin Vassell, were all selected in the first round, but at lower draft positions—29th, 14th, and 11th, respectively. Johnson, Vassell, and others like Julien Champagnie played through tough seasons while the 76ers were clearing their roster for Mac McClung’s dunk contest participation. Champagnie has evolved into one of the team’s strongest three-point shooters, maintaining perfect availability over two years.
Backup center Luke Cornett, acquired for about $10 million annually, might not be excelling in the postseason, but notable moments like his block against Isaiah Hartenstein in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals captured attention. De’Aaron Fox, although facing injury challenges, has shown he can be a reliable point guard. Initially, Castle struggled but improved significantly once Fox returned to the lineup.
The Spurs possess strong coaching and seem unfazed, and their roster is set for further growth with the addition of veterans like Kelly Olynyk and Harrison Barnes in the mix. When luck strikes, landing a key player can change everything. But, with the new rules expected next season, it appears unlikely any team will replicate the Spurs’ recent success.
