The Spurs are no longer a rebuild-in-waiting—they’re perched on the edge of something real, with a 2025–26 season that could redefine San Antonio’s trajectory.
After missing the playoffs in 2024–25 with a 34–48 record and enduring Gregg Popovich’s health crisis midseason, there’s reason to believe this group can rise quickly. The catalyst isn’t one single move, but a confluence of signs pointing toward immediate impact.
First, the stars are aligning. De’Aaron Fox, acquired midseason, agreed to a four-year, $229 million extension, signaling the franchise’s commitment to contending right away with him and Victor Wembanyama leading the charge. That level of investment demands results, and the Spurs intend to push for them.
Second, a young core with big upside is in the building phase. Generational talents Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper have arrived and are ready to contribute. That combination of a seasoned star with a budding dynamic duo around him is a rare and valuable mix for a team just entering a new era.
Third, leadership and direction are shifting. Popovich is stepping away, with Mitch Johnson taking the reins full-time. The team needs to validate its direction early in this new era, moving beyond a patient-build mindset toward clear progress and tangible results for fans and front office alike.
Fourth, the offseason footprint, while not splashy, is deliberate. San Antonio added shooting and spacing with Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet and reinforced the pipeline with Harper and Carter Bryant in the draft. The roster is more versatile, and the front office has signaled that nearly everyone is available via trade or buyout if it enhances the core. Rumblings about pursuing Kristaps Porziņģis before his Hawks tenure, while ambitious, underscore a willingness to chase elite upgrades rather than settle for incremental improvements.
Fifth, the Spurs’ window isn’t limitless. They remain with financial flexibility under the second luxury tax apron and access to the bi-annual exception, but those options erode as long-term deals lock in. Waiting out another season isn’t just stagnation—it risks capping growth and inviting mediocrity.
And finally, this is the West, where every contending team is reshaping itself. If the Spurs can translate momentum into concrete progress—Fox and Wembanyama clicking, Castle’s defense sharpening, Harper finding his footing, and the supporting cast delivering—they could be part of the playoff conversation sooner than expected.
What to watch this season
– Fox and Wembanyama chemistry: Can the veteran star meshes seamlessly with the young phenom and elevate the offense?
– Castle’s development: Will his defense-first approach translate into improved two-way impact as a sophomore?
– Harper’s growth: How quickly does the No. 2 pick translate into steady production and decision-making at the pro level?
– Frontcourt balance: How do Olynyk and Kornet fit with Wembanyama, and what role does Bryant carve out?
– Front-office strategy: With the ability to overhaul via trades, how aggressively will San Antonio pursue upgrades when opportunities arise?
– Health and leadership: How will the transition from Popovich to Johnson manifest in coaching style, culture, and accountability?
Bottom line
The Spurs have laid out a clear path: leverage immediate star power around a gifted young core, push for tangible progress this season, and maintain flexibility to chase upgrades as needed. If the pieces click, San Antonio could vault into genuine playoff contention sooner than many expect, turning a once-porous rebuild into a sustained, competitive era. The ingredients are there—youth, star power, cap flexibility and a new voice in the locker room. The leap must come in 2025–26, not just because it’s time, but because the future the Spurs have built demands it.
Optional additional context for editors
– Consider adding a sidebar that outlines the financial landscape, including the second apron implications and bi-annual exception relevance, to help readers understand the urgency behind quick results.
– A short profile on Mitch Johnson’s coaching philosophy and how it contrasts with Popovich’s approach could add value for readers seeking deeper analysis.
– If there are updates on Porziņģis or other potential targets, a brief “what-if” box could provide readers with a sense of the Spurs’ ceiling in the coming months.