Finding hidden gems deep in the NBA Draft is an art form, and over the decades, the San Antonio Spurs front office has proven they know their way around a canvas better than almost anyone else in professional sports. While twenty-nine other teams passed on the opportunity, San Antonio’s aggressive draft-night maneuvering to secure Tarris Reed Jr. at No. 26 is already looking like another masterclass in scouting.
Following a competitive training camp and a blistering performance in the team’s open scrimmage, veteran forward Keldon Johnson had nothing but high praise for the rookie big man, confirming that the young talent is turning heads where it matters most.
Keldon Johnson’s Glowing Verdict on Tarris Reed Jr.
Speaking to reporters after the scrimmage, Johnson pulled back the curtain on how quickly Reed has integrated into the squad and made his physical presence felt.
“He’s been tremendous; he’s been crashing the glass. Really good offensive rebounder. I was really surprised how advanced he was offensively and his touch around the rim has been amazing for us… He’s physical, he’s tough, sets good screens. He’s everything you could want in a big man.”
For Spurs fans who have spent seasons clamoring for more rugged interior muscle and frontcourt depth, KJ’s words are absolute music to the ears. While superstar Victor Wembanyama continues to mesmerize the basketball world with his unprecedented skill set, his slender frame occasionally makes it challenging to absorb heavy contact in the paint or clear out space for collapsing guards.
Entering the fray with a relentless motor and sturdy frame, Reed provides the exact brand of dirty-work physicality San Antonio has been craving.
Continuing a Storied Legacy of Late-Round Mastery
San Antonio’s knack for uncovering elite talent outside the lottery is practically legendary. Fans don’t have to look far down memory lane to find franchise-altering success stories born from late draft picks:
- Tony Parker (2001): Selected 28th overall before evolving into a Finals MVP and Hall of Fame floor general.
- Manu Ginobili (1999): Waited until the 57th pick before becoming an iconic global legend and multi-time champion.
- Tiago Splitter (2007): Drafted 28th, anchoring the paint for the 2014 championship squad.
- Dejounte Murray (2016), Derrick White (2017), & Keldon Johnson (2019): All snagged at No. 29 overall, turning into All-Defensive stalwarts, All-Stars, and elite rotation pieces.
While not every late-round gamble pans out, the Spurs’ development pipeline and scouting department possess a proven track record of nurturing raw traits into high-level production.
What Tarris Reed Jr. Brings to the Silver and Black
Securing a player with Reed’s specific profile so late in the draft showcases a front office that understands how to complement its star player. Wembanyama needs screen-setters who can take and hold position, clear out defensive rebounders, and punish switches inside.
If Reed can translate his impressive training camp flashes into consistent regular-season production, the Spurs will have successfully unearthed another hidden jewel while the rest of the league looked the other way. The early returns are overwhelmingly positive, and San Antonio’s future just got a whole lot more intriguing.
Do you think Tarris Reed Jr. will carve out a consistent rotation role and become the Spurs’ next great late-draft steal?
