The San Antonio Spurs are scheduled to have the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While there are rumors that it could be dealt, the Spurs have drafted some legends during their franchise’s history. Here are the top 10 picks in their team history. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Remember, Kawhi Leonard was drafted by the Indiana Pacers and traded to San Antonio on draft night and thus is not included.
(Honorable mentions include Devin Vassell, Gene Banks, Tre Jones, Stephon Castle, and George Hill.)
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In San Antonio Spurs History
10. Keldon Johnson (29th overall, 2019)
Reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle could easily take this spot in the near future. For now, the slight edge goes to Keldon Johnson. A gold medalist in the 2020 Olympics, Johnson averaged 22.0 points in 2022-23. Through his first six seasons, the 25-year-old has averages of 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds.
9. Derrick White (29th overall, 2017)
While he’s seemingly leveled up since joining the Boston Celtics, Derrick White also had a solid playing career with San Antonio. He started 155 out of his 237 regular season games with the team. White often guarded the opposition’s top backcourt scorer and averaged 11.6 points with the Spurs.
8. Dejounte Murray (29th overall, 2016)
Dejounte Murray really broke out in his last season with the Spurs in 2021-22. He was named an All-Star that season and led the league in steals. Murray recorded 13 triple-doubles that season and had 17 in a Spurs jersey.
7. Sean Elliott (3rd overall, 1989)
Drafted out of Arizona, Sean Elliott played 11 of his 12 seasons with San Antonio. Named to two All-Star teams, he was a member of their 1999 championship team. Elliott averaged more than 15 points per contest in five different seasons.
6. Alvin Robertson (7th overall, 1984)
While he played just five seasons with the Spurs, Alvin Robertson was a defensive menace while with them. In 1985-86, he was named both Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player. The 6-foot-4 guard led the league in steals twice and made four All-Defensive teams in his San Antonio tenure.
5. Victor Wembanyama (1st overall, 2023)
This seems like a good spot for Victor Wembanyama, even after just two seasons. The unanimous Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 was well on his way to winning Defensive Player of the Year this season. Unfortunately, deep vein thrombosis ended his year prematurely at the All-Star break. Nonetheless, sky is the limit for the 21-year-old.
4. Tony Parker (28th overall, 2001)
Winner of four championships with the Spurs, Tony Parker was named Finals MVP in 2007. A six-time All-Star, he finished top-nine in MVP voting four times. Parker averaged at least 14.7 points and 5.3 assists for 12 straight seasons spanning from 2002-03 until 2013-14.
3. Manu Ginobili (57th overall, 1999)
Manu Ginobili didn’t begin his NBA playing career until 2002, but he made a huge impact from the get-go. A selfless player who helped San Antonio to four titles, Ginobili was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2007-08. After a 16-year playing career, all with the Spurs, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
2. David Robinson (1st overall, 1987)
Known as ‘The Admiral’, David Robinson was taken first overall with the Spurs well-aware he would sit out two years due to naval academy service. The wait was worth it. Playing all 14 of his seasons with San Antonio, Robinson was named MVP in 1994-95. He also was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1991-92 and won two titles during the back half of his career.
1. Tim Duncan (1st overall, 1997)
An all-time legend, Tim Duncan spent his entire 19-year career with San Antonio. The list of accolades are endless. Some of the more notable though are 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 15-time All-Defensive, two-time MVP, five-time champion, and three-time Finals MVP. He ranks fifth all-time in blocks, sixth in rebounds, and 17th in scoring.
Other 10 best NBA draft picks
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Detroit Pistons
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Indiana Pacers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Miami Heat
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Orleans Pelicans
- New York Knicks
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- Toronto Raptors
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
Photo credit: © Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
