By Matija Šerić
After four months of anticipation, the new NBA season is just around the corner. As always, the stakes are sky-high. Basketball fans are buzzing with excitement ahead of the opening tip-off, set for October 21 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma, where the reigning champions will host the promising Houston Rockets. As is tradition before every new season, representatives from numerous teams claim that this will be their year — that they’re stronger, deeper, and ready for greatness. This year is no different.
Spurs – The Potential Surprise Package
While the main title favorites this season are the Thunder, followed by the Cavaliers, Rockets, Warriors, Knicks, and Nuggets, surprises are always possible. Every year, at least one underrated team exceeds expectations, making an impressive run through both the regular season and the playoffs. This year, that team could be the San Antonio Spurs.
After six straight seasons without a playoff appearance, the Spurs could finally return to where they belong — and potentially go even further. That’s not an overly optimistic prediction, but a realistic assessment based on the talent and balance of the roster from Alamo City.
Departures and Additions
During the summer, the franchise parted ways with veteran Chris Paul (now a Clipper), Sandro Mamukelashvili, Malaki Branham, Charles Bassey, Kam Jones (the 38th pick, traded to Indiana), Blake Wesley, and David Duke Jr. On the other hand, several key reinforcements joined the team.
In the draft, the Spurs picked up Dylan Harper (No. 2 overall) and Carter Bryant (No. 14). Luke Kornet arrived from Boston, veteran Kelly Olynyk came from New Orleans, and Lindy Waters III joined from Detroit.
A Blend of Youth and Experience
This is a young, dynamic, and highly talented squad. The roster is overflowing with emerging stars who have already proven their worth — or soon will. Everything revolves around 21-year-old superstar center Victor Wembanyama (2023–24 Rookie of the Year). He’s joined by 20-year-old sharpshooter Stephon Castle (last season’s top rookie) and the ultra-talented rookie duo of Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, both just 19.
The Spurs also have 22-year-old power forward Jeremy Sochan, who’s expected to take a big step forward (the No. 9 pick in the 2022 draft). But San Antonio’s strength doesn’t come from youth alone — the roster also includes several experienced players who bring leadership and depth: 25-year-old wing Devin Vassell, 27-year-old point guard De’Aaron Fox (acquired from Sacramento in February), 33-year-old forward Harrison Barnes, 30-year-old center Luke Kornet, 26-year-old Keldon Johnson, 29-year-old playmaker Jordan McLaughlin, 34-year-old veteran Kelly Olynyk, and 23-year-old Julian Champagnie. These 13 players are expected to make up the core rotation this season.
The Starting Five
With a healthy lineup and solid rotation, the Spurs’ starting five could make them one of the season’s biggest surprises. The strongest lineup should feature Fox at point guard, Castle or Harper as shooting guard, Vassell on the wing, Barnes at power forward, and Wembanyama anchoring the paint.
This setup offers an ideal balance of creativity on offense and defensive toughness. Fox’s court vision and quick drives create fluid ball movement, while Castle and Harper excel at mid-range shooting and penetration. Vassell adds athleticism and rebounding versatility, and Barnes brings experience and strength in the post. And then — there’s the king himself.
Wembanyama – The Key Piece
Naturally, Wembanyama is the heart and soul of this team. The Spurs’ success largely depends on him. His ability to dominate the paint, block shots, and score from seemingly impossible angles makes him the backbone of the squad — a player capable of deciding games on his own.
His only real concern is health. Last season, he played superbly until February 20, when he was sidelined due to a venous thrombosis in his right shoulder. In 46 games, he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks. For two straight seasons, he led the league in blocks per game and was a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year before his injury.
Interestingly, Wembanyama is still growing — now listed at 7’4″ (224 cm). He described his offseason training as “brutal,” “violent,” and “world-class,” working with legends Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon. “I feel like it’s time for me to play basketball,” he said at the Spurs’ Media Day on September 29. He’s clearly eager to prove what he can do — and that’s a lot.
His impact on the team is undeniable: with him on the court last season, the Spurs allowed 112.4 points per game, but without him — 121.6. That’s a massive difference.
A Promising Head Coach
The Spurs’ roster looks built for big things, and at the helm is new head coach Mitch Johnson, who officially took over after Gregg Popovich stepped down due to health issues. Johnson, just 39 years old, has been with the organization for six years, serving as Popovich’s assistant and acting head coach during Pop’s absence last season.
Having learned under one of the greatest coaches in history, Johnson combines tactical understanding with a relaxed, player-friendly approach — essential for a young team. He also worked closely with Wembanyama as his personal shooting coach when the Frenchman first arrived in San Antonio.
Twin Towers and Fox’s Role
Johnson may occasionally deploy a “Twin Towers” lineup with Wembanyama and Kornet (7’1”) sharing the frontcourt. Such a setup could wreak havoc on opponents by controlling the airspace on both ends of the floor.
However, much will depend on how effectively Fox can orchestrate the offense. Brought in to add maturity and stability, he’ll need to prove himself as the team’s undisputed floor general. The Spurs will also aim to improve their three-point shooting — players like Barnes, Sochan, Castle, Champagnie, Kornet, and Wembanyama all need to contribute more consistently from deep.
A Roster Built for Success
All things considered, the Spurs are expected to improve significantly from last year’s 13th-place finish in the Western Conference. Much depends on Wembanyama’s health, but even if he misses time, Kornet and Olynyk can hold down the paint.
San Antonio are this season’s dark horse — a team with the potential to surprise the league and make a deep playoff run. With continued development, the Spurs could become the next Oklahoma City Thunder — a true title contender — within a year or two. Whether they reach that level remains to be seen, but the journey promises to be fascinating.
References:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wembavi01.html
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/sa
https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/victor-wembanyama-return-blood-clot-21106902.php
https://www.nba.com/news/2025-26-season-preview-sas
https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/nba/spurs-win-total-over-under-odds-bm23/
