The San Antonio Spurs’ first order of enterprise was re-signing their very own, however they didn’t cease there.
Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes, who shared the Spurs’ energy ahead spot a lot of the yr, have been locked down in Day 1 of the NBA’s free company interval. The Silver and Black rewarded Champagnie with a brand new 3-year, $45 million contract and introduced again Barnes on a 1-year, $8 million deal.
Although Champagnie supplanted Barnes within the beginning lineup final season, time will inform who begins in 2026-27 as a result of … Tobias Harris joined the Spurs on a 2-year, $31 million deal after serving to Detroit earn the highest seed within the Japanese Convention final yr. Harris ranked second on the Pistons in scoring with 18.1 factors per sport whereas grabbing a team-high six defensive rebounds per sport.
His 30 factors (together with 5-of-7 from past the arc), 9 rebounds, and three steals have been essential in Detroit’s Sport 7 win over Orlando within the first spherical of the 2026 playoffs.
Harris has been a double-figure scorer in all however his first two seasons within the NBA. He’s began each sport within the final 9 years, regardless of bouncing from the Pistons to the Clippers to the 76ers and again to Detroit in that span.
After all, Barnes had his personal nine-year beginning streak earlier than Champagnie’s talent set and effectiveness moved him to the bench the second half of final season.
The Spurs nonetheless have their full bi-annual exception (about $5.5 million) remaining for the final two full roster spots. From final yr’s Western Convention championship roster, Bismack Biyombo, Jordan McLaughlin, Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee, and Lindy Waters III stay unsigned as unrestricted free brokers.
Guard David Jones Garcia and ahead Harrison Ingram have two-way qualifying presents, making them restricted free brokers. The Spurs can have as much as three gamers on two-way contracts.
Exterior the strains, the Spurs made a splash Thursday night time by signing “free agent” coach Billy Donovan because the workforce’s lead assistant following Sean Sweeney’s departure for the top job in Orlando.
Donovan spent the final six seasons as Chicago’s head coach. Regardless of by no means claiming a Central Division title and making only one playoff look with the Bulls, he brings championship pedigree along with his back-to-back nationwide championships at Florida in 2006 and 2007.
After a school teaching profession that additionally included a nationwide runnerup end, one other Closing 4, and three extra Elite Eight appearances, Donovan made his strategy to the NBA in 2015-16. He led the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to a Northwest Division championship and the Western Convention Finals.
Now, he’ll be serving to Mitch Johnson and the Spurs as they attempt to preserve the Thunder from advancing no additional than that within the years to come back.
Fan response to the Tobias Harris signing was blended on social media, however the Spurs earned typically good evaluations from across the league.
Sports activities Illustrated’s Dan Lyons rated the Harris signing an A-, recognizing him as “one of many few Pistons to raise his sport within the postseason” and calling him “a rock-solid signing” for the value.
Bleacher Report mentioned the total mid-level exception appeared just a little excessive for Harris at his age (quickly to be 34). However BR’s workers nonetheless gave the signing a B as a result of Harris’ veteran presence and playoff expertise.
Zach Harper from The Athletic additionally weighed in with a B, calling Harris a “superb short-term possibility” who the Spurs simply must “persistently knock down exterior pictures.”
Wanting on the offseason as an entire, Kurt Helin from NBC Sports activities gave the Spurs an A-. He mentioned Harris is “an excellent position participant who can catch-and-shoot nook 3s and put the ball on the ground when wanted; he’s an excellent veteran match for them at a place of want.” Helin additionally praised the re-signing of Champagnie and the Spurs’ concentrate on bigs within the draft.
Harris video makes the grade
One factor we are able to all agree on … Tobias Harris introduced it along with his free agent announcement video:
And talking of movies, this clip of Victor Wembanyama’s pinpoint free kick is making the rounds on social media. His French countrymen are on the quick record of World Cup favorites, but when they find yourself needing any assist …
