Fresh off an appearance in the NBA Finals, the Spurs have made another addition to their frontcourt, using the 20th overall pick in the draft to select center Jayden Quaintance.
Quaintance represents something of a question mark entering his pro career, since he was limited to just 28 total appearances across two college seasons with Arizona State and Kentucky due to health issues.
Quaintance, who will turn 19 next month, looked excellent for the Sun Devils as a freshman in 2024/25, averaging 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.5 assists in 29.5 minutes per game while displaying impressive mobility for a 6’10” player. However, in February 2025, he suffered a major right knee injury, tearing his ACL and meniscus.
After undergoing surgery, he made a quick recovery and was able to make his Wildcats debut on December 20. But complications related to his knee injury sidelined him again after just four appearances for Kentucky. He didn’t suit up for the team after January 7, and reporting in recent weeks indicated that some NBA teams were wary about that knee.
Speaking to the media shortly after he was selected, Quaintance said his surgically repaired knee is “still in a little pain” and requires a second procedure to clean up his meniscus, as Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News reports (via Twitter). Quaintance’s second surgery hasn’t been scheduled yet and he isn’t sure if he’ll be ready for training camp, Orsborn adds.
If Quaintance can get back to 100% health and regains the athleticism he showed as a freshman, he has the tools to become a rim-running and rim-protecting center at the NBA level. He has a massive 7’5″ wingspan and weighed in at 253 pounds at the combine.
Although Quaintance could be a steal at No. 20, as he was considered a probable lottery pick before the season began, that’s very much contingent on his health, which makes the selection somewhat of a risk. Still, the Spurs have the financial flexibility and roster to be patient with the young big man, who will likely begin his career low on the depth chart behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet.
It’s possible Quaintance could eventually play alongside Wembanyama at times. While his offensive game is extremely limited at this point, Quaintance is considered a versatile defender and could be a dunker spot lob threat who crashes the offensive glass with Wembanyama operating on the perimeter.
Quaintance also be Kornet’s long-term replacement as Wembanyama’s primary backup. Kornet, who turns 31 next month, is under contract for three more seasons, but his salary for 2027/28 is only partially guaranteed and ’28/29 is a team option that would be non-guaranteed if its exercised.
