Spurs' Sarting Lineup 2025-2026 Season

[TimmyBuckets]

What does everyone think the starting lineup will be? I know there will be all kinds of different combos throughout the season to start and as backups.

PG: De'Aaron Fox.
Primary playmaker and dynamic scorer. He's got extremely elite speed and elite downhill ability, able to put pressure on defenses both in transition and in the half-court. Strong pick-and-roll score with, what will likely be, great synergy with Wemby. Brings great leadership as well.

SG: Stephon Castle
Can play the combo guard position well. Has great size for a guard, good vision, and natural instincts for when to pass and when to attack. His jumper is developing, but has hit clutch shots last season. He's a premier on-ball defender, able to guard 1-3 with physicality and some lateral quickness. He will take tough perimeter matchups on a nightly basis, allowing Fox and Vassell to conserve their energy. Brings intangibles like maturity and high IQ to the table.

SF: Devin Vassell
Can be a great off-ball scorer, able to hit catch-and-shoot threes and mid-range pull-ups. Has shown the ability to save plays when they breakdown, with an improved ability to create for himself. He's an intelligent cutter, who will work well with Wemby and Fox. Good two-player as well, who brings leadership to the table as well.

PF: Harrison Barnes
Knock down shooter with perfect leadership. He doesn't need touches to perform well and he keeps moving without clogging lanes. His floor-spacing is crucial over Sochan's better defense, but lackluster shooting. Smart post-up or mismatch scorer with savvy moves. He's steady and playoff-tested.

C: Victor Wembanyama
The system. The alien. The monk. With Fox, he finally has a true PG who can put pressure on defenses and easily feed him. Castle gives him a good permitter defender, while also staying out of Wemby's way offensively.

[buttsR4rebounding]

I agree with the outside chance that Sochan has significantly improved his 3 point shot over the off season.

[scott]

Based on the roster today, I agree that would be the opening night starting lineup.

Free Agency starts in about 42 hours though... so let's see how that pans out.

[KobesAchilles]

I really hope that isn’t our starting line up going forward. I would be very underwhelmed. With our current roster (and I expect there to be changes) I would have Fox, Vassell, Champ, Sochan, and Wemby. I’d pair Castle and Harper together with Barnes and Bryant on the bench and I guess Bismo.

[Limguogolo]

Talking about starting 5 where Ginobili ended up a hall of famer coming off the bench.


Four teams: starting 5, transition unit, second unit, and money time unit.


Starting 5: must be balanced, allow Victor to propose typical actions to which the opposing team will have to adapt, in the event of adaptation, he can rely on reliable secondary scorers and finishers (in the paint or at three points). A team capable above all of defending and countering the opponent's main offensive weapons.

Fox, Castle, Carter Bryant, Barnes or FA, Victor.

Transition unit: first rotations team.

Harper, Castle, Vassell, Sochan, Victor

Second unit: energy, speed.


Harper, Champagnie, Vassell, Sochan, Mamu or FA.


Money time unit:
Fox, Castle, Vassell, Barnes, Wembanyama.

[Ice009]

Way too early for this. FA hasn't even started. Offseason workouts with teammates haven't started. Coaching staff has only just been put together. Way too early for this.

If that is the starting lineup, this team will struggle to make the playoffs. Unless the bench goes off and makes up for the starters, the other team will likely have a lead going into games.

Harrison's rebounding and defense suck (he needs to be much better if he's going to start). Devin's defense and inconsistent scoring suck (if Devin improves both of these areas it will help tremendously). I really hope Steph improves his shooting as that would make a huge difference, but also, I'd like to see him play much more consistent defense this season.
I really don't know about Harrison starting anymore as last season we didn't have anyone else. I hope that is not the case again this season. If the Spurs don't get anyone else to replace him in the starting 5, I wouldn't be opposed to starting Carter Bryant instead at PF. Either way, that wouldn't be good for a team that's looking to make the playoffs.

[Robz4000]

Assuming no one is added other than a legit backup C, I'd like to see:

Fox
Castle
Champ
Barnes
Wemby

but I think we'll see:

Fox
Castle
Vassell
Sochan
Wemby

[Borosai]

Fox, Castle, and Wemby for sure.

I'd like to see Bryant start since all he'll need to do is play good defense and shoot open threes (he's one of the few on the roster that can do both).

The unknown spot is PF. If Sochan shows up this season with an improved 3pt shot, and they stick to small ball, he should start. If not, Barnes (if he's still on the team). Or maybe they'll get someone else.

[venitian navigator]

Fox Vassell Castle Bryant Wemby
Harper Champagnie KJ Barnes Sochan

Like it or not this is our best lineup with a second unit with no real big man but all players more than capable to defend and rebound... Sochan as of now is actually our other big man.. M

[RC_Drunkford]

they could actually try to start Harper at the 2 as a catch and shoot guy. Still way too early, we still have to see how the roster looks when training camp starts.

[venitian navigator]

I see Harper like s new era Manu but stronger and do able tò play 35 or more minutes...coming from the bench imho he could be able tò play and model the second unit as he prefer and the finish the game with the starting unit...best way tò maximizehis valute and skills at least in the short term...

[Raven]

Fox Champ Vassell Sochan Wemby

[Dejounte]

they could actually try to start Harper at the 2 as a catch and shoot guy. Still way too early, we still have to see how the roster looks when training camp starts.
In the press conference, Dylan says he’s being told by Mitch just to be himself. I think they’re going to let him loose and let him play his game.

[spursparker9]

Wow fuck...Mitch can actually play 10 men deep tbh.

Stacked!

[spursparker9]

In the press conference, Dylan says he’s being told by Mitch just to be himself. I think they’re going to let him loose and let him play his game.

Tbh I interpret that as Mitch telling Dylan to go all out and his game in practice to fight for the starting spot and minutes. Dylan should not be scared of stepping on veterans' toes and limit his playing style. That is my interpretation of what Mitch is actually conveying to Dylan.

[Dejounte]

Tbh I interpret that as Mitch telling Dylan to go all out and his game in practice to fight for the starting spot and minutes. Dylan should not be scared of stepping on veterans' toes and limit his playing style. That is my interpretation of what Mitch is actually conveying to Dylan.
Yeah and if he’s doing all that and successfully showing everyone he deserves a starting spot and/ or minutes, then I think they’re going tell him to continue playing that way when the real games begin and not suddenly tell him to only play a catch and shoot role as Drunkford was saying.

[Raven]

In the press conference, Dylan says he’s being told by Mitch just to be himself. I think they’re going to let him loose and let him play his game.

that's code for "i don't know wtf am i doing"

[TimmyBuckets]

I doubt they start Bryant, but who knows what can happen late-mid to late in the season. I'm sure he'll get solid minutes though in different lineups, just not a starter rookie year.

[DAF86]

that's code for "i don't know wtf am i doing"

Do you ever post anything positive anymore? Is this a shtick, a lame troll attempt? Have you grown into an "old man yells at cloud"? What are you doing son? :lol

[sfernald]

Nah the only five that are part of the true young core on Wemby timeline:

Harper/castle/bryant/sochan/wemby

Everyone else is just the help

[TimmyBuckets]

Nah the only five that are part of the true young core on Wemby timeline:

Harper/castle/bryant/sochan/wemby

Everyone else is just the help

They won't start Fox? lol They start Bryant as a rookie?

[sfernald]

They won't start Fox? lol They start Bryant as a rookie?

well they will probably need to trade fox. We can wait a season tho to see how Harper looks ;)

fox is basically an upgraded version of the cp3 role at this point

if Bryant shows out in summer league like I think he will then definitely

ehat I’m saying basically tho is that lineup is the future whether starting now or in two years

[lefty20]

We need to pump the brakes with the wild rookie expectations. Especially for the 1 and done rookies.

Expecting them to be a positive contributors right off the start is just setting your self up for disappointment due to unrealistic expectations.

There will be an adjustment period and there will be growing pains. Don't expect either Harper or Carter to come out of the gates being a day 1 positive contributor. Definitely don't expect either one to be in the starting lineup on opening night.

[TimmyBuckets]

well they will probably need to trade fox. We can wait a season tho to see how Harper looks ;)

fox is basically an upgraded version of the cp3 role at this point

if Bryant shows out in summer league like I think he will then definitely

ehat I’m saying basically tho is that lineup is the future whether starting now or in two years

Disagree Fox is an upgraded CP3 poisiion. He's not an out-of-prime PG. He's a prime contributor and perfect running mate right now with Wemby. Neither Castle nor Harper are ready to perform like him. Not even close. I do agree that our future guards (Castle and Harper) will eventually be in the starting lineup, but it's way too early for Harper and Bryant to start.


We need to pump the brakes with the wild rookie expectations. Especially for the 1 and done rookies.

Expecting them to be a positive contributors right off the start is just setting your self up for disappointment due to unrealistic expectations.

There will be an adjustment period and there will be growing pains. Don't expect either Harper or Carter to come out of the gates being a day 1 positive contributor. Definitely don't expect either one to be in the starting lineup on opening night.

Exactly. No way either player starts, unless others are resting.

[scott]

We need to pump the brakes with the wild rookie expectations. Especially for the 1 and done rookies.

Expecting them to be a positive contributors right off the start is just setting your self up for disappointment due to unrealistic expectations.

There will be an adjustment period and there will be growing pains. Don't expect either Harper or Carter to come out of the gates being a day 1 positive contributor. Definitely don't expect either one to be in the starting lineup on opening night.

I already have the papers for Carter's max extension drawn up... wtf are you talking about?

[sfernald]

Disagree Fox is an upgraded CP3 poisiion. He's not an out-of-prime PG. He's a prime contributor and perfect running mate right now with Wemby. Neither Castle nor Harper are ready to perform like him. Not even close. I do agree that our future guards (Castle and Harper) will eventually be in the starting lineup, but it's way too early for Harper and Bryant to start.



Exactly. No way either player starts, unless others are resting.

Yeah you know I’m def like a little excited ;)

I like to compare things to the Okc lineup. I think you could look at the spurs lineup this way:

fox - Shai— role
wemby - Chet++ role
harper - Jdub role (first year)
castle - Dort role (early years when he was an inefficient scorer first and developing as a defender)
keldon - Kenrich Williams role (culture setter?)
vassell - Isaiah joe marksmen?
Bryant - Not sure his type exists on Okc (might be our big advantage) - maybe bigger Cason Wallace?

We are def missing our Caruso & hart but we are definitely pretty close. Expecting 50 wins next year if things go really well.

[RC_Drunkford]

well they will probably need to trade fox. We can wait a season tho to see how Harper looks ;)

fox is basically an upgraded version of the cp3 role at this point

if Bryant shows out in summer league like I think he will then definitely

ehat I’m saying basically tho is that lineup is the future whether starting now or in two years

this board underrates Fox severely. Seems like most of y'all don't understand how good he actually is. Also Carter Bryant is far away from being a starter. He'll probably be a bench player for his entire rookie contract.

[rascal]

I see Harper like s new era Manu but stronger and do able tò play 35 or more minutes...coming from the bench imho he could be able tò play and model the second unit as he prefer and the finish the game with the starting unit...best way tò maximizehis valute and skills at least in the short term...

He is too good to be coming off the bench. He needs to be starting very soon.
He isn't going to want to be a come off the bench player.

He isn't Manu and isn't going to play a Manu come off the bench role.

[DPG21920]

If you aren’t going to start Sochan you should trade him tbh….

Fox
Castle
Dev
Sochan
Wemby

[SpursBills]

If they sign a backup center as expected (let's say Kornet for now) and no more trades, I would legitimately start Champagnie and relegate Keldon to cheerleader / spot minutes, then trade him as an expiring next summer. I'm not sure they have the stomach to do something like that though.

Fox-Castle-Champagnie-Barnes-Wemby
Harper-Vassell-Bryant-Sochan-Kornet

[TimmyBuckets]

If they sign a backup center as expected (let's say Kornet for now) and no more trades, I would legitimately start Champagnie and relegate Keldon to cheerleader / spot minutes, then trade him as an expiring next summer. I'm not sure they have the stomach to do something like that though.

Fox-Castle-Champagnie-Barnes-Wemby
Harper-Vassell-Bryant-Sochan-Kornet

I think they start Vassell over Champ, but Champ is definitely the player that I went from hating to really rooting for. This team is deep!

[Raven]

Do you ever post anything positive anymore? Is this a shtick, a lame troll attempt? Have you grown into an "old man yells at cloud"? What are you doing son? :lol
mitch was a big blow

[cutewizard]

Wemby
Yabusele
Barnes
Fox
Castle

Kornet
Harper
Sochan
Keldon
Champagne

[Ice009]

well they will probably need to trade fox. We can wait a season tho to see how Harper looks ;)

fox is basically an upgraded version of the cp3 role at this point

if Bryant shows out in summer league like I think he will then definitely

ehat I’m saying basically tho is that lineup is the future whether starting now or in two years

What are you on about? De'Aaron scored 60 and 49 points in back to back games last season, and that was with the finger injury. He's not just "an upgraded" version of CP3. He's still in his prime.

[tbdog]

We just have the MLE, yeah?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

We will get killed on the boards, desperately need a stretch big that isn’t Barnes whose defense is horrific

[thOOdee]

Sochan and vassell start. This is make it or brake it time. Assuming no better center is picked, development time on whether they are in spurs long term plan is over. Time to push the little birdies off the cliff and see if they can be consistent. Not starting them would only deflate any confidence out the gate. If they dont produce, its bench time and theyll be on the trading block for cheap.

[Spursfanfromafar]

If they sign a backup center as expected (let's say Kornet for now) and no more trades, I would legitimately start Champagnie and relegate Keldon to cheerleader / spot minutes, then trade him as an expiring next summer. I'm not sure they have the stomach to do something like that though.

Fox-Castle-Champagnie-Barnes-Wemby
Harper-Vassell-Bryant-Sochan-Kornet

Can we sign and trade Keldon Johnson for Dorian Finney-Smith? Or dump Keldon to Nets with SRPs and sign Finney-Smith in that space? Knowing the Spurs, they most likely wouldn't do it. But Finney-Smith is a perfect 4 for Wemby. Low usage, high efficiency, good defense and great catch & shoot 3P% (close to 40%).

Fox-Castle-FinneySmith-Sochan-Wemby
Harper-Vassell-Champagnie-Bryant-Kornet
--
Wesley-Branham-Minix-Barnes-Biyombo
Ingram, Mamu

[The Truth #6]

I'm just working with players who are actually on the team. This is what I think will happen.

Fox - Castle - Vassell - Barnes - Wemby
Harper - Champ - Keldon - Sochan - Biyombo

I see Bryant and Keldon sharing minutes until they figure out what Bryant can do. It seems like they want Keldon to be a true 3 but he's too bad of a defender, and they will eventually want Bryant to be a 4, but to me he's way too skinny and is a perfect 3 and so no reason to push him into a 4, but we'll see what they do. For now, Ozembic for Keldon and breakfast tacos for Bryant, so to speak.

I don't see any minutes realistically at all for: Ingram or Minnix, so I don't even think of them as being anywhere near their plans for next year. Why would they be unless the apocalypse hits.

Mamu might get some regular minutes, but so far they haven't ever prioritized him until the end of the season when players are injured and so I think that continues for some reason, unless Keldon or Vassell get traded and it opens up some playing time.

If there are any trades, then these ideas would have to change, of course.

[sfernald]

What are you on about? De'Aaron scored 60 and 49 points in back to back games last season, and that was with the finger injury. He's not just "an upgraded" version of CP3. He's still in his prime.

im just excited for the new rooks!

[sfernald]

this board underrates Fox severely. Seems like most of y'all don't understand how good he actually is. Also Carter Bryant is far away from being a starter. He'll probably be a bench player for his entire rookie contract.

You know the thing is he’s almost just as theoretical as the rooks at this point cause he barely played and when he did he was injured. I get it, I’ve seen him have some great games. We just need to get to the start of the season and see how he does with Wemby day in and day out.

But watch out for Harper, might look like an all star his first year honestly. And if he looks like he’s being held back, the clamoring from fans will grow and grow this season.

[sfernald]

I'm just working with players who are actually on the team. This is what I think will happen.

Fox - Castle - Vassell - Barnes - Wemby
Harper - Champ - Keldon - Sochan - Biyombo

I see Bryant and Keldon sharing minutes until they figure out what Bryant can do. It seems like they want Keldon to be a true 3 but he's too bad of a defender, and they will eventually want Bryant to be a 4, but to me he's way too skinny and is a perfect 3 and so no reason to push him into a 4, but we'll see what they do. For now, Ozembic for Keldon and breakfast tacos for Bryant, so to speak.

I don't see any minutes realistically at all for: Ingram or Minnix, so I don't even think of them as being anywhere near their plans for next year. Why would they be unless the apocalypse hits.

Mamu might get some regular minutes, but so far they haven't ever prioritized him until the end of the season when players are injured and so I think that continues for some reason, unless Keldon or Vassell get traded and it opens up some playing time.

If there are any trades, then these ideas would have to change, of course.

I honestly think this year might be the year Branham and Wesley make a huge leap. They have to at this point or buy plane tickets for Europe.

Sochan I’m expecting to gain two inches of height over the summer and maybe 10 pounds of muscle and he will not shoot less than 40% on three pointers again on his career (I saw what he did this summer).

[Ice009]

How does a player gain two inches of height? You're making it sound like he can just grow if he wants to.

[sfernald]

How does a player gain two inches of height? You're making it sound like he can just grow if he wants to.

it’s all mental man and maybe a little hgh lol. He jus has to will those two inches into existence!

[CorrectCrusader]

I agree with OP except Vassel should be replaced by Julian

[sfernald]

Dup

[BSfromTX]

I realize it is not the spurs "norm" to play rookies much or even start, however this has been a lottery team the last three years. It's not like we are still rolling out Tim, Manu and Parker. We don't have an experienced winning team. I see no reason not to give both rookies opportunities early. Get their feet wet. We have nothing to lose.

[spurs1990]

Maybe it's happened and even happened frequently, but a 2nd overall not starting on a non-playoff team... is Harper that big a drop from Flagg? Surely Flagg would have started here right

[Ice009]

Maybe it's happened and even happened frequently, but a 2nd overall not starting on a non-playoff team... is Harper that big a drop from Flagg? Surely Flagg would have started here right

Now that you mention it, I don't remember that happening on a non-playoff team. I can't think of any.

[RC_Drunkford]

You know the thing is he’s almost just as theoretical as the rooks at this point cause he barely played and when he did he was injured. I get it, I’ve seen him have some great games. We just need to get to the start of the season and see how he does with Wemby day in and day out.

But watch out for Harper, might look like an all star his first year honestly. And if he looks like he’s being held back, the clamoring from fans will grow and grow this season.

A proven All-Star caliber player is not a theoretical like some rookies

[cutewizard]

Kornet
Wemby
Barnes
Fox
Castle

[scott]

Maybe it's happened and even happened frequently, but a 2nd overall not starting on a non-playoff team... is Harper that big a drop from Flagg? Surely Flagg would have started here right

In 2018-19, Marvin Bagley III only started 4 of 62 games for SAC

The closest others I could find (excluding injured Chet) were these in the last 15 years:

2016-17, BI only started 40/79 games for LAL
2015-16, DLo only started 48/80 games for LAL
2013-14, Oladipo only started 44/80 games for ORL
2011-12, Derrick Williams only started 15/66 games for MIN

[Guru of Nothing]

Based on thread title, this seems like the best place to discuss minute allocation.

As currently constructed, say we allocate 30 minutes each to Wemby, Fox, Castle, and Harper (where 30 minutes is a little light), and let's say Kornet gets 20. That's 140 minutes of game time leaving 100 minutes for non-guard play (unless the insane happens and Castle is a small forward ;) ).

How to divide 100 minutes between Sochan, Bryant, Barnes, Devin, KJ (JK), and Champ? ... feels like we need a trade, obvs

[TimmyBuckets]

The more I think about it, the more likely Sochan starts over Barnes.

[mudyez]

Btw.: What is you guess on Minix? Will he get a rotation spot or just stay in gleague? I like him but with Bryant drafted, Barnes in the mix, Champ servicable und the Power of Friendship Squad I'm not sure, we have wing minutes to hand out unless there are trades made.

[Darkwaters]

Btw.: What is you guess on Minix? Will he get a rotation spot or just stay in gleague? I like him but with Bryant drafted, Barnes in the mix, Champ servicable und the Power of Friendship Squad I'm not sure, we have wing minutes to hand out unless there are trades made.

Minix is on a 2-way. He only played a handful of GLeague games last year due to injury. There is zero discussion whatsoever of promoting him to a full roster spot or giving him any kind of consistent minutes in San Antonio.

[OldMan88]

Minix has potential, but he’s got a long, hard road ahead to earn a spot.

[The Truth #6]

Minnix won't play and will soon be forgotten is my interpretation.

[scott]

Minnix won't play and will soon be forgotten is my interpretation.

If that's true I'm going to have to redo my models... was already planning around his max extension in 2029