The initial free agency frenzy has subsided, and teams are starting to set their rosters for the upcoming season. The San Antonio Spurs made understated but important moves, drafting Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, and signing Luke Kornet in free agency. With two more roster spots to fill, San Antonio has minor moves it can still make, but the makings of a completed rotation of players are taking form. Will it be enough to get this team back to the playoffs for the first time in 6 seasons?
The answer is a resounding yes from Pounding the Rock readers. After the Spurs’ moves, 86% of respondents to the latest SB Nation Reacts survey think they will make the playoffs next season. San Antonio looked like it was trending toward a Play-In appearance last season before Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox went down with injuries. Now, the team will have its two superstars healthy after offseason recoveries, improvements from its other young players, such as Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan, plus the new additions.
After years of struggling to amass talent, the Spurs are suddenly a fairly deep and versatile team. They have three important combo guards in Fox, Castle, and Harper. They have several wings who can play multiple positions, such as Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and Bryant. With Sochan, Wemby, and Kornet, the Spurs have a competitive group of guys to hold down the paint. The Spurs have 11 players you could give NBA rotation minutes to right now, when teams usually run an 8-10 man rotation. Their versatility and depth will be one of their greatest strengths this season.
San Antonio could use another shooter and more big man depth to fill its last two roster spots. If they can do that, they should come into the 2025-26 NBA season with plenty of ammo for a playoff run.
The Spurs currently have the 9th-best odds to win the Western Conference on FanDuel at +2900. You can see how they stack up with the rest of the conference here: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
The Spurs’ offseason started with a stellar NBA Draft, which most Spurs fans gave an A grade. Both Harper and Bryant fell into San Antonio’s lap at 2 and 14. Harper should make an impact immediately with his downhill driving ability and next-level floor manipulation and passing. He has the potential to be a long-term running mate with Wembanyama and a future All-Star. Bryant is a great long-term fit, but may struggle to find minutes immediately in San Antonio.
You’ll be able to see Bryant play in the California Classic on Saturday at 3:30, and Harper play in Las Vegas on July 10th.