The San Antonio Spurs have one of the most talented young rosters in the league heading into the 2025-26 season. With the arrival of Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant in this year’s draft, the Spurs have added a lot more depth for the future.
While many expected the No. 2 overall pick to be in the team’s starting rotation, Harper appeared certain that he would come off the bench. He expressed his thoughts on this during an appearance on “7 PM in Brooklyn” by saying:
“Every day is not all sunshine and flowers, and that’s how it’s going to be at the next level. James Harden was with the Thunder and came off the bench for 3-4 years waiting for his turn, so everyone gotta wait for their turn. So that’s how I kind of look at it.”
Harper coming off the bench could be a net positive for San Antonio, though it significantly affects the projected starting lineup. With this possibility in mind, we explore San Antonio’s potential starting rotation for the upcoming season.
Projected Starting Lineup
PG – De’Aaron Fox
SG – Stephon Castle
SF – Harrison Barnes
PF – Jeremy Sochan
C – Victor Wembanyama
This iteration of the starting lineup is similar to the one they had after De’Aaron Fox joined the team. Overall, there may be no further changes to the rotation, barring future adjustments.
The Spurs’ starting backcourt is likely to be anchored by the young pairing of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. Given the athleticism and sheer scoring prowess possessed by the two, this would prove to be a dynamic partnership.
Fox will be a player to look out for next season. After signing a massive four-year deal with the Spurs this offseason, the 27-year-old will be out to send a message to other teams.
In a limited capacity for San Antonio last season, he recorded an average of 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, while shooting 44.6% from the field and 27.4% from three-point range.
His perimeter shooting numbers aren’t as much of a concern since it isn’t the primary offensive element in his game. Instead, the Spurs will benefit from having Fox exploit the gaps in the defense with his explosive speed and athletic ability.
Castle is likely to settle into the shooting guard role next season. The reigning ROTY certainly had himself an impressive campaign last season. While showcasing his skills and athletic ability, he cemented his position as a key player in the Spurs’ plans for the future.
Last season, the 20-year-old recorded an average of 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, while shooting 42.8% from the field and 28.5% from three-point range. Given his role, he may find himself attempting more shots from the perimeter. Regardless, he has displayed his capability of scoring from different points on the floor.
The frontcourt trio is likely to feature Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama.
Harrison Barnes may continue to serve the Spurs as their starting small forward. As the veteran on the roster, Barnes’ task will be to provide reliable scoring and defense when called upon to do so.
At 33 years old, Barnes is far from being the player he used to be. However, he remains fairly productive. Last season, he recorded an average of 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.8% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc. Effectively embracing the role of a 3-and-D wing player, Barnes will be crucial in stabilizing their perimeter presence on both ends of the floor next season.
The power forward position is likely to be occupied by Jeremy Sochan, although this may be subject to change owing to the trade rumors associated with him this offseason.
The Spurs would largely benefit from retaining Sochan. The 22-year-old has a lot of upside as a defender and rebounder, while also showing an improving shot from the perimeter.
Last season, he posted an average of 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds, on shooting splits of 53.5% from the field and 30.5% from three-point territory. While these numbers don’t jump off the page, he is a significant contributor on the defensive end, providing the Spurs with a lot of flexibility due to his ability to guard multiple positions.
There may be some concerns about Sochan’s health heading into the regular season after he sustained a calf injury recently. Although he’s expected to be healthy in time for the season, the Spurs may want to monitor this situation carefully.
The final piece in the puzzle will be Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ star, on the verge of taking his place alongside the best in the league.
Wembanyama has already established himself as a unique talent. With immense agility and mobility at his size, the 21-year-old is one of the most formidable two-way players in the game.
Last season, the young center put up a phenomenal average of 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and a league-high 3.8 blocks per game, in just his second season. When also accounting for his shooting splits of 47.6% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range, he is truly in a league of his own.
Wembanyama’s season was cut short after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder. Having successfully recovered from it, the French big man appears to be on track to have a dominant performance next season after a series of interesting training outings this offseason.
Given that the starting rotation appears to be virtually the same, there may be some limitations regarding how competitive they could be next season. But with a season under their belts, the Spurs could be coming back stronger.
The Spurs Have Versatility
One of the biggest factors working in San Antonio’s favor heading into next season is their versatility. With players such as Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Carter Bryant in their ranks, the Spurs have enough depth to experiment with a variety of different rotations.
Harper’s offensive potential could easily see him replace Fox or Castle in the rotation. Vassell and Johnson have the athletic and scoring ability to contribute in place of Harrison Barnes. Similarly, Bryant has showcased the talent and potential to be a valuable piece in the future, effectively acting as a replacement for Sochan.
With their depth, the Spurs have ample room to experiment with rotations. With enough flexibility, San Antonio could be a highly unpredictable team to strategize against next season.
