Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2023-24 participant evaluations! The sequence will take a look at the 15 gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts (so no two-way gamers as a result of we noticed so little of them this 12 months, and no Doug McDermott). Get pleasure from!
Julian Champagnie
2023-24 stats: 74 video games, 6.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 36.5 3FG%
Contract Standing: 2 years, $3 million per (non-guaranteed)
Age: 22
Earlier than the 2023-24 NBA season, San Antonio Spurs followers theorized what the perfect beginning lineup can be surrounding Victor Wembanyama. Ought to Jeremy Sochan play level guard? Is Keldon Johnson higher suited as a sixth man? The wings have been a query for a lot of the offseason. Julian Champagnie’s title didn’t come up in these conversations, regardless of ending the ‘22-’23 season on a scorching streak. But, the second-year wing began 59 video games for the Spurs this 12 months, and was a giant motive why they discovered success within the second half of the season.
When Wembanyama was moved to heart and Keldon Johnson went to the bench, Champagnie stepped into the beginning lineup. He offered San Antonio a wanted increase to their perimeter protection and three-point taking pictures. Champagnie hit 36.5% of his threes on 3.7 makes an attempt a recreation. He was one of many Spurs extra dependable shooters, exterior of a tough stretch in February when Champagnie hit simply 24.4% of his threes. He match completely into the beginning lineup as a three-and-D function participant who may assault closeouts.
Champagnie’s enhancements on the defensive finish have been maybe the largest growth in his recreation. He’s a very good athlete and has a stable body at 6-foot-8, 220 kilos. Champagnie might keep on with ball-handlers and even ship just a few of their pictures again with blocks infrequently. His size and athleticism actually bothered opposing gamers on the wing. In addition to Wembanyama, you may argue that Champagnie was one of many Spurs most impactful defenders. Champagnie exceeded all expectations this season by creating into a real three-and-D wing.
Wanting ahead
Whether or not or not Champagnie is a starter long-term with the Spurs stays to be seen, however he’s performed properly sufficient to earn a rotation spot subsequent season. Look across the NBA and also you’ll see groups prioritizing massive wings who can dribble, cross, shoot and defend. Champagnie matches that mould. He’s not going to be a participant that is named upon as the focus of the offense (in truth, Gregg Popovich instructed him to not be “Kobe” within the beginning 5) however he has the makings of a powerful function participant.
The Spurs want all the high quality defenders they’ll get after ending twenty second in defensive score, regardless of having a Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate on the crew. Sochan and Champagnie are the one plus wing defenders they’ve on the roster proper now. Even when Champagnie isn’t beginning, his quantity ought to be known as as a defensive wing who can knock down pictures off the bench.
If San Antonio isn’t capable of finding a veteran wing, or excessive upside rookie they wish to plug into the beginning lineup, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Champagnie as a starter subsequent season. With a full summer time to get taking pictures reps in and one other 12 months of comfortability with the NBA recreation, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Champagnie’s three-point taking pictures percentages attain the high-30s to low-40s. A 6-foot-8 defensive wing who can shoot round 40% from deep is a extremely valued asset within the trendy NBA.
Champagnie’s contract for the subsequent two seasons in non-guaranteed for $3 million. After that Champagnie has a club-option for the 2026-27 season. A participant of Champagnie’s skillset is a discount on that contract. It looks like a no brainer to deliver the wing again at that worth level subsequent season. If Champagnie continues this upward trajectory, the Spurs might have themselves a pleasant piece for affordable as they attempt to contend within the coming seasons.
Prime efficiency
March ninth vs. Golden State: 17 factors, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 5-8 from three
Remaining Grade: B+
Up Subsequent: Zach Collins
Earlier Critiques
Sidy Cissoko
Charles Bassey
Devonte’ Graham
Dominick Barlow
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Blake Wesley
Cedi Osman
