The San Antonio Spurs might have skipped the NBA Draft Lottery this year—a luxury afforded to a team coming off a dominant second-best record in the league—but that doesn’t mean the front office is taking the summer off. With a war chest of picks (20th, 35th, 42nd, and 44th), the Silver and Black are looking to turn an “already incredible” young core into an immovable dynasty.
As the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago heats up, two names have emerged as the “dream targets” for San Antonio: Michigan’s National Champion Morez Johnson Jr. and Purdue’s gritty veteran Trey Kaufman-Renn.
The First-Round Gem: Morez Johnson Jr.
If there was a “must-have” prospect for the Spurs at the 20th pick, it’s Morez Johnson Jr. The Michigan standout has spent the combine proving he is an athletic anomaly.
- The Measurements: Standing 6’9” barefoot with a staggering 7’4” wingspan, Johnson possesses the physical profile of a modern NBA defensive anchor.
- The Mobility: He posted the fourth-best pro lane drill time at the combine, remarkably beating out several top-tier guards.
- The Pedigree: A centerpiece of Michigan’s 2026 National Championship run, Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62.3% from the floor.
For a Spurs frontcourt that occasionally lacks “grit” outside of the obvious 7’4″ superstar, Johnson brings a defensive versatility that allows him to switch onto all five positions. He is exactly the kind of “tough as they come” competitor that Gregg Popovich has historically coveted.
The Second-Round Steal: Trey Kaufman-Renn
While Johnson is the flashy first-round target, Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn (TKR) is the quintessential “Spurs pick” for the second round. After a dominant G League Combine performance earned him an NBA Combine call-up, TKR’s stock is skyrocketing.
Why He Fits San Antonio:
- A Proven Winner: TKR is a Big Ten legend with two regular-season titles and two tournament trophies. He knows how to play winning basketball at a high level.
- High-IQ Offense: Averaging over 14 points in his senior year, he is a master of the “unshakeable floater” and a high-level roll man.
- Character: Matt Painter has raved about TKR’s ego-free approach, making him a perfect cultural fit for the Spurs’ locker room.
While there are concerns about his top-end athleticism, his rebounding and passing ability make him a safe bet to bolster San Antonio’s interior depth.
The Big Picture: Building the Wall
The Spurs’ frontcourt rotation is set for a major makeover. Adding the “smothering” defense of Morez Johnson Jr. and the “polished” interior scoring of Kaufman-Renn would give San Antonio a rotation capable of out-muscling anyone in the Western Conference.
The 2026 class is deep, and if these two standouts are still on the board when the Spurs are on the clock, expect Brian Wright to move quickly.
