The San Antonio Spurs are already the talk of the NBA postseason. After regular-season critics questioned their depth, a stunning 62-win campaign secured them the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. As they battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in a highly anticipated playoff showdown, the front office is already positioning itself to inject even more championship pedigree into the roster.
According to a newly updated mock draft from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, the Spurs are projected to use the No. 35 overall pick to select forward Alex Karaban, a move that would reunite him with his former collegiate teammate.
Reuniting a National Championship Core
If the draft board falls this way, Karaban will land in a highly familiar environment. San Antonio’s current young backcourt anchor, Stephon Castle, was a vital piece alongside Karaban during their dominant run under Dan Hurley at UConn.
Castle’s seamless transition into Mitch Johnson’s NBA system provides a perfect blueprint for Karaban. Having a former teammate to lean on would drastically shorten Karaban’s learning curve as he adjusts to the professional ranks.
A Combine Shooting Masterclass
Karaban’s draft stock has caught serious wind following an elite showing at the NBA Draft Combine. Teams searching for reliable floor-spacing have been forced to take notice of the veteran forward:
- Shooting Drills: Karaban reportedly led all combine participants in shooting drills, cementing his reputation as a plug-and-play perimeter threat.
- Athletic Leap: He showed a significantly improved vertical jump compared to his combine testing from two years prior, proving his dedication to his physical development.
- The Scouting Verdict: Evaluators now view him as an “NBA-ready shooter, cutter, and professional” who possesses the exact high-IQ traits the Spurs prize.
An Embarrassment of Riches for San Antonio
The beauty of this projection for the Spurs is that they are under absolutely zero pressure to rush him. With an established core featuring Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Castle already clicking earlier than expected, Karaban can be brought along slowly. Whether he earns immediate bench minutes or hones his craft with the Austin Spurs in the G League, San Antonio has the luxury of patience.
Furthermore, the Spurs hold an incredible amount of leverage in this draft. In addition to the No. 35 pick, San Antonio controls the No. 20, No. 29, and No. 42 selections, giving them ample ammunition to either package assets for a veteran star or continue hoarding elite, cost-controlled young talent.
The Hurley Standard: Karaban spent four years at UConn, winning two national titles and competing deep into a third tournament run. That baseline of winning discipline makes him a seamless culture fit for the Silver and Black.
