Making the NBA Finals certain makes the time fly. The Spurs’ 2025-26 season solely ended a month in the past, and we’ve already gotten by way of the NBA Draft, the overwhelming majority of free company (thank goodness they aren’t caught up within the LeBron James Determination 4.0 or Kawhi Leonard commerce debacle) and most of Summer season League. With that in thoughts, it’s time to start out looking forward to the subsequent season. Although they’re just about returning the identical roster, plus the additions of Tobias Harris, Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed, there are nonetheless some inquiries to ponder as we enter the inevitable doldrums of the offseason.
How will the Spurs handle their guard trio this time?
This was a query going into final season after the Spurs had skilled a surprising rise within the draft lottery to 2nd general with the prospect to take Dylan Harper. They already had reigning Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Fort, they usually had traded for De’Aaron Fox a couple of months prior and promised him an extension. This left some questioning if they need to go for want over expertise and draft somebody like Kon Knueppel as a substitute (*cough* Kevin O’Connor), however the Spurs caught with their instincts and have been rewarded with a guard rotation that nearly by no means noticed a drop in productiveness when somebody was injured or sat whereas enjoying an enormous function in main them the Finals.
The query now could be, will the identical strategy work once more subsequent season? There have been unsubstantiated rumors that Harper will not be prepared to just accept a bench function for a second season, and whether or not that’s true or not, are the Spurs even contemplating it, or is feasible they begin their three-headed monster? Such a call would seemingly transfer Devin Vassell to the bench, each for causes we’ll get to beneath and since they’ll want extra measurement within the line-up if Fox, Fort and Harper all begin. Vassell would seemingly settle for that function not solely as a result of he’s unselfish, however he’d in all probability sub in comparatively rapidly since, if the trio have been to start out, they technically don’t have a back-up level guard, so there can be some staggering of guard the rotation.
No matter strategy they go together with subsequent season, questions will stay how lengthy they’ll stick with it. They gained’t be capable to pay all three when all is alleged and accomplished, so is Fox on borrowed time with the franchise, with Fort due an extension in 2028 and Harper in 2029 — a 12 months earlier than Fox’s contract ends? That half is just not a query the Spurs need to reply this season and even the subsequent, however it’ll preserve hovering within the background for the foreseeable future.
How does the addition of Tobias Harris have an effect on the rotation?
Whereas everybody understood that energy ahead was an space the Spurs may enhance this offseason, most viable choices have been thought of out of their value vary, so it was a pleasing shock when two-way veteran Harris agreed to signal for basically the midlevel exception. Not solely that, however Harrison Barnes agreed to re-sign on a low deal regardless of understanding he would seemingly play a minimal function for the primary time in his profession, and Julian Champagnie re-upped on a brand new, team-friendly deal. Now that they’ve gone from a bit skinny to stacked on the place, how does it have an effect on the rotation?
No matter how or if spots 1-3 change, PF could also be an open battle in coaching camp between Harris and Champagnie, with each that includes completely different strengths and weaknesses. Whereas the Champagnie is a extra dependable three-point shooter — which can be wanted with the starters, particularly if Vassell is moved to the bench and/or no less than one of many guards don’t develop into extra constant — there isn’t a lot else to his offensive recreation, and his decision-making on protection might be sporadic. Alternatively, Harris has a extra well-rounded recreation on each ends, together with a midrange recreation that the Spurs have been missing, however is that what the starters want?
One other facet to think about is who would match higher with a bench rotation that can embody Keldon Johnson, Carter Bryant and Luke Kornet, plus some extent guard or Vassell. That could be a deep group however lacks exterior taking pictures, which once more begs the query if Champagnie’s taking pictures can be extra useful off the bench. Logic appears to level to Harris beginning and Julian coming off the bench, however when it actually comes right down to it, each would in all probability be advantageous in both function. And if one in every of them will get damage, you possibly can’t ask for a significantly better fill-in plan that Barnes. As is the case with the guards, depth is an effective drawback to have.
What can Victor Webmanyama do subsequent?
It’s laborious to imagine that Wemby is just about a consensus prime three participant at this level however nonetheless has a lot room to enhance. He posted profession highs in factors (25), rebounds (11.5) and discipline purpose share (51.2%) whereas making the All-Star crew, profitable Defensive Participant of the 12 months, coming in third in MVP voting, making the All-NBA and All-Protection First Groups and main the league in blocks. And but, there are loads holes in his recreation to fill.
For starters, pretty much as good as he already is on offense, he may very well be a greater three-tier scorer. He shot a league common 35% from three on a 5.5 makes an attempt, which was again to his rookie price after making an attempt virtually 9 per recreation in his second season. Whereas “common” is fairly good for an enormous man, he was wildly inconsistent at instances and was typically a bit cussed about transferring down low once they weren’t falling. He additionally lacks a midrange recreation, which might get him in hassle when he tries to drive however will get caught. Growing a signature transfer in that space may go a great distance in offering an outlet when the protection swarms. It will additionally assist him with defending the ball higher, as his makes an attempt to drive from the perimeter resulted in turnovers too usually.
Lastly, maybe his greatest focus this offeseason needs to be energy and stamina. Whereas he was robbed of some possibilities to work on that final summer time because of deep vein thrombosis, that’s not the case this summer time (though relaxation must be a precedence as properly). He managed some spectacular big-minutes video games throughout the playoffs, however he was drained within the fourth quarters by the Finals, which performed a task of their 4 blown leads.
The sky is the restrict for Wemby, and if he can enhance his offensive recreation, keep wholesome and play extra minutes, he may very well be lifting the MVP trophy by the top of subsequent season — though the last word purpose would be the Larry O’Brien trophy.
