Spurs Rookie Tarris Reed Jr. Dominates Preseason Rebounding

San Antonio’s frontcourt depth chart is shifting before the regular season even begins. Rookie center Tarris Reed Jr. has forced his way into the rotation conversation with a string of dominant rebounding performances during NBA preseason play, drawing immediate attention from veteran teammates who rarely hand out praise in October.

Guard Devin Vassell described the 23-year-old as a “monster” on the glass, telling reporters he views Reed as a “walking 10 boards” every time he steps onto the floor. For a franchise that has spent years searching for reliable interior physicality to complement its perimeter talent, that kind of unsolicited endorsement from a core player carries weight.

Reed backed up the locker room chatter against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 12, hauling in 17 rebounds and recording four steals. He followed that effort against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, logging nine rebounds, three blocks and four points across 21 minutes. Those numbers are particularly notable because preseason minutes for big men are notoriously volatile. Coaches frequently use exhibition games to experiment with small-ball lineups or test perimeter combinations, meaning traditional centers often see fragmented playing time. Reed maximized his windows.

His arrival in Texas required a draft-night maneuver. The Denver Nuggets selected Reed with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft but immediately flipped him to San Antonio in exchange for the No. 35 selection and two future second-round picks. Trading up within the first round using second-round capital signals a front office targeting a specific trait rather than drafting for general value. San Antonio clearly identified rebounding and defensive positioning as needs they wanted to address before training camp opened.

The timing benefits Reed significantly. Victor Wembanyama remains the undisputed starter at center, while veteran Luke Kornet holds down the primary backup role. However, managing Wembanyama’s workload over an 82-game schedule requires a dependable third option capable of protecting the rim without disrupting the team’s spacing. Historically, NBA franchises that rely heavily on a singular, high-usage big man must carefully monitor back-to-back schedules and load management protocols, making that third-string spot far more consequential than it appears on paper.

Reed’s path to those minutes widened considerably due to medical circumstances elsewhere on the roster. Jayden Quaintance, whom San Antonio selected at No. 20 overall, remains sidelined following a knee procedure in July. That absence leaves the rookie battle for the final rotational spot largely uncontested for now, allowing Reed to build chemistry with the starting unit and establish himself with the coaching staff without looking over his shoulder.

San Antonio opens its 2026-27 regular season next week, where head coach Mitch Johnson will have to finalize his rotation decisions based on these preseason evaluations.