Inside The Spurs

San Antonio Spurs: Will They Trade Up or Stay Put in Deep 2025 NBA Draft?

The San Antonio Spurs hold six picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, including four first-rounders. Will they trade up or capitalize on a deep rookie class?
Taylor Hodges|
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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The upcoming class of NBA rookies is considered to be a deep one and San Antonio could be in perfect position to capitalize on that.

The Spurs control six draft picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, including two of their own and two protected-first round picks. Those six draft picks are:

  • Spurs’ 1st Round Pick
  • Hawks’ 1st Round Pick
  • Bulls’ 1st Round Pick (Protected from 1-10)
  • Hornets’ 1st Round Pick (Protected from 1-14)
  • Spurs’ 2nd Round Pick
  • Pelican’s 2nd Round Pick

Based on the current NBA standings, San Antonio would have three first round picks (its own, Atlanta’s and Chicago’s). The Hornets are tied for the third-fewest wins in the NBA this season with seven. Chicago is 10-15, but based on tiebreakers would earn the No. 10 spot in the playoff seeding.

The Spurs, for what it’s worth, are 12-12 and would be just outside the playoffs, but in the lottery. Realistically, San Antonio is looking at most three – but more likely two – mid first round draft picks and two second round picks.

So, would San Antonio be better off keeping those picks or combining them to move up in draft class for an elite prospect to pair with Victor Wembanyama?

Truthfully, that decision can’t be made until the season ends and we have better idea of how recent draft picks Stephon Castle (2024), Harrison Ingram (2024) and Sidy Cissoko (2023) play the rest of the season.

But with four first round draft picks (plus more in future years) and two second-round draft picks in 2025, the Spurs could potentially trade up and select one of the draft’s best prospects (Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, etc.).

Or there could just be some leftover magic from 1997 or 2023 and the Spurs don’t have to trade any picks.

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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