With three picks in the upcoming draft, the San Antonio Spurs have an opportunity to build on their exciting group of rising talents.

Of the many areas of expertise touted by the San Antonio Spurs and their front office, scouting is among the top of their talents. After 22 consecutive seasons of reaching the playoffs, general manager R.C. Buford and his staff of highly-qualified assistants have become extremely confident in their ability to find talent in unlikely places.

Buford was able to secure athletic swingman Lonnie Walker IV in the 2018 NBA Draft after many projected the product of Redding, Pennsylvania to get picked in the late-lottery. Instead, the Spurs were able to nab an exciting piece for the future with the 18th pick in the draft. San Antonio is primed to snag another captivating talent this season with their second-highest draft pick since drafting the greatest power forward of all-time in Tim Duncan back in 1997.

The 19th overall pick is just one of the Spurs’ three picks to work with in this draft. Buford will pick 29th with the draft pick acquired from Toronto in the deal that brought shooting guard DeMar DeRozan to the Alamo City. San Antonio has a positive track record with the 29th pick, especially in recent history.

In consecutive drafts coming in 2016 and 2017, the Spurs built some valuable guard depth by adding Dejounte Murray from Washington and Derrick White from Colorado back-to-back. Although they’re seemingly set at both guard positions, Buford could opt to select the best player available regardless of position.

Between their two first-rounders and the 49th overall pick in this draft, San Antonio will look to bolster their depth and physicality at the forward positions while remaining open minded regarding the players remaining on this year’s draft board.