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By Anne Erickson
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The San Antonio Spurs didn't need another guy who could simply sink baskets.
They needed someone who could directly help Victor Wembanyama.
That's why Jayden Quaintance is such an interesting piece heading into the 2026-27 season. It's also why he's their x-factor.
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The Spurs' draft said plenty about what they wanted and needed. They weren't satisfied with just surrounding Wembanyama with more shooting or another offensive option. They wanted size. They wanted toughness. They wanted players who could handle the physical side of playoff basketball.
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Quaintance fits that mold. The No. 20 overall pick has the kind of defensive instincts that can change a game without needing the ball in his hands. He's physical, he competes, and he brings an edge that San Antonio has been missing around its young superstar. Wembanyama already changes what teams can do around the basket. Adding another defender who can make opponents uncomfortable only makes that job harder.
Of course, the Spurs will have to be patient. Quaintance is recovering from knee surgery, and there is no reason to rush a player with his long-term upside. San Antonio has taken a careful approach with its young talent, and this will likely be another case where development matters more than forcing an immediate impact.
The Spurs also added Tarris Reed Jr. at No. 26 and Maliq Brown at No. 44, giving them more depth and athleticism up front. Reed brings experience from Michigan and UConn, while Brown has built a reputation as a versatile defender after playing at Syracuse and Duke.
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But Quaintance is the player who could really change the equation.
The Spurs already have the centerpiece. Everyone knows that. Now they're looking for the players who can make Wembanyama's world a little easier and better.
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