The San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs find themselves trailing 2-1 in the Western Conference FinalsCompetition·Western Conference Finals against the formidable Oklahoma City ThunderTeam·Oklahoma City Thunder, a position that naturally prompts a closer examination of the roster's composition. Analyst Ric Bucher recently suggested the Spurs should target a "Jaden McDanielsPlayer·Jaden McDaniels type wing" to bolster their lineup, a sentiment that resonates with many looking for immediate solutions.
"Outside of Wemby and Luke Kornet, the Spurs are relatively small. A Jaden McDaniels type wing for example would be a great addition to this roster,"— Ric Bucher.
Jaden McDanielsPlayer·Jaden McDaniels, a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot wingspan, embodies the coveted 'three-and-D' archetype, a player every NBA team seeks. His 41% shooting from beyond the arc in the regular season and crucial contributions for the Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves, including leading them past the Denver NuggetsTeam·Denver Nuggets in the first round when Anthony EdwardsPlayer·Anthony Edwards was sidelined, underscore his value. While Bucher's suggestion points to a 'type' of player rather than McDaniels specifically, finding a player with his unique blend of size and skill is a significant challenge.
However, the core issue for San Antonio may not solely lie in adding another long wing. The more pressing concern, as observed throughout the series, emerges when Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama is off the floor. The Spurs' ability to maintain defensive integrity and offensive flow often diminishes during these crucial minutes. While Luke KornetPlayer·Luke Kornet has proven to be a valuable contributor, the presence of other bigs like Kelly OlynykPlayer·Kelly Olynyk, Bismack BiyomboPlayer·Bismack Biyombo, and Miles Plumlee on the bench has not consistently provided the necessary impact.
To truly evolve, the Spurs must address the vulnerability in the paint and the loss of versatility that occurs when Wembanyama rests. This requires a more dynamic and versatile big man who can both protect the rim and stretch the floor. A potential solution could come through the draft, with a player like Henri VeesaarPlayer·Henri Veesaar from North Carolina, a 7-foot center known for efficient interior scoring, 42% three-point shooting, lob-catching ability, and rim protection. Such an addition would not only provide crucial backup minutes but also open up intriguing two-big lineup combinations for head coach Mitch JohnsonCoach·Mitch Johnson.
The Spurs have already demonstrated their capacity to compete with physically imposing teams, notably defeating the Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves in six games earlier in the playoffs, despite Minnesota's frontcourt featuring Rudy GobertPlayer·Rudy Gobert, Julius RandlePlayer·Julius Randle, and McDaniels. Against the Thunder, San Antonio's matchups, including Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPlayer·Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against Stephon CastlePlayer·Stephon Castle, and the similar heights of players like Jalen WilliamsPlayer·Jalen Williams, Alex CarusoPlayer·Alex Caruso, Devin VassellPlayer·Devin Vassell, and Dylan HarperPlayer·Dylan Harper, suggest that overall size isn't the primary impediment. Jaylin WilliamsPlayer·Jaylin Williams, listed at 6-foot-9, has impacted the series through his play, not just his stature.
Ultimately, while a 'Jaden McDanielsPlayer·Jaden McDaniels type' player would be a welcome addition to any roster, the Spurs' immediate and most impactful tweak lies in securing a versatile big capable of sustaining the team's performance during the minutes Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama is not on the court. This strategic focus will be paramount as San Antonio looks to build a championship-caliber roster around its generational talent.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs during a 2026 NBA game. (Javier Rojas/ZUMA Press Wire/IMAGO)
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