The San Antonio Spurs are again left to watch the playoffs after failing to make the postseason for the sixth-straight season. An early start to the summer isn't all bad, with them getting more time to prepare for the upcoming NBA Draft and free agency.
With two first-round picks in this year's draft, they will have a golden opportunity to improve their roster ahead of free agency. First, they will need to know where they will be picking.
They are currently projected to pick eighth with their own selection, with a 26.2% chance of that pick jumping into the top four in the upcoming draft lottery. However, San Antonio also owns the Atlanta Hawks' unprotected first-round pick, giving them a big opportunity.
The San Antonio Spurs may have a perfect draft day scenario thanks to the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.
The Hawks are currently trying to make the playoffs and have one last game in the play-in tournament to try and earn their spot.
However, if they fail to win their game against the Miami Heat, they will find themselves out of the playoffs, and the Spurs could find themselves with another lottery pick. Better still, if the Dallas Mavericks upset the Memphis Grizzlies, then the Hawks' pick could be as high as 13th.
- Spot 12 comes with a 1.3% chance at No. 1 and a 6.2% chance at moving into the top 4.
— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) April 17, 2025
- Spot 13 comes with a 1.2% chance at No. 1 and 5.7% chance at moving into the top 4.
- Atlanta winning means the Spurs pick 15th.
That would be the perfect scenario for the Spurs, giving them not only the 8th and 13th picks but also a combined 31.9% chance at a top-4 pick. Of course, the Hawks have no incentive to help the Spurs by losing, and they have to win just one more game to make the playoffs.
If the first scenario plays out for the Spurs, they could address their biggest roster flaws, which include a lack of shooting and a lack of a backup big man behind Victor Wembanyama. In our latest mock draft, they would be in the perfect position to do just that.
Especially if that pick jumps several spots if the Hawks lose and the Mavs win in the play-in tournament. It would also open up the possibility of the Spurs trading up in the draft, assuming that either pick doesn't jump into the top four on its own.
All told, Spurs fans should be rooting against the Hawks making the playoffs and, ironically, for the Mavericks to make it in. That would improve the Hawks' pick that is owed to San Antonio and give them a perfect opportunity to add to their already impressive young core.