Spurs' Path to the Championship Starts with Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) takes a moment before tip-off during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Julian Champagnie admitted the defeat in the NBA Finals stung, but he refused to let it be the only emotion he experienced. Pride was also present.

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"We did the unthinkable, honestly," the 24-year-old forward said. "I don’t think anybody had us to be in the championship (round) when training camp started. … I think we exceeded expectations."

The expectations for next season will only rise after Victor Wembanyama and Co.'s earlier-than-anticipated run to the Finals.

For Spurs general manager Brian Wright and his front-office group, Saturday’s Game 5 defeat against the Knicks signaled the starting gun on an offseason meant to get the team over the title hump.

The easiest, no-brainer step in the process will come later. Wembanyama, who plays on an expiring rookie-scale contract, becomes eligible to sign a maximum extension in July.

Should Wembanyama earn an All-NBA selection, MVP award or Defensive Player of the Year honors, his extension escalates to a maximum of $301 million.

The only question for the Spurs at that point will be where to back up the Brinks truck."

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"He affects as much of the game in every single way as much as any other player I've ever seen," coach Mitch Johnson said. "Take that for whatever it's worth."

The summer will kick off with questions surrounding De'Aaron Fox’s future with the team. Fox inked a four-year extension last summer that keeps him under contract through the end of the 2029-30 campaign.

The Spurs will either exercise a team option for Julian Champagnie next season or negotiate a long-term deal with their starting forward. Either way, expect Champagnie to return.

"They've been a first-class organization in every way," Barnes said. "

When it comes to attracting outside free agents, the Spurs will have a mid-level exception worth roughly $15 million once the marketplace opens June 30.

No matter the details of the roster once the offseason dust settles, Johnson made clear he expects the Spurs’ chase for the franchise’s sixth championship to resume in the fall.

"We're not going to flinch, blink, waver," Johnson said. "We'll be here until whenever we get (next year's) schedule and figure out our next game. We'll be better."