Spurs' Seeding for the 2025-2026 Season

[Davidicus]

So many factors we don’t know. But I think it’s safe to say OKC, DEN, HOU are ahead of us. Most likely MIN and LAC. That puts us 6 seed at best, I voted 7. GSW, DAL, LAL are more unknowns.

We have to go and take the seed, it won’t be given to us. At minimum, Wemby has to play like a top 5 player he was. We need All Star Fox. Castle keeps his %s up and defense. That’s to get us to 7.

Our seeding upside is based on: Harper being the real deal. Sochan hitting a decent 3P%. Vassell becoming a catch and shoot demon. Bryant contributing X factor minutes. If absolutely everything clicks and no injuries, we’re 4 at best.

Can’t wait! GSG

[rascal]

3rd seed (with no key injuries)

Houston was the 2nd seed last year and they weren't any better talent wise last year than the Spurs are now. Spurs have made big additions over the past year. Wemby healthy all year should take another jump.

OKC is the top team and some other team will sneak into the two seed and if the spurs stay healthy they can get the 3rd seed. Teams in the west are bunched together and will be close in record spurs can get to 3rd.

There will be a lot of teams tanking in next year's draft with some great players coming out at the top of the draft. Spurs will be trying to win games.

[Splits]

Spurs - The emergence of Sochan

[John B]

All I’m saying is he’s the x-factor. If he plays the rim-running defensive in-your-face pest, who can pass in traffic and shoot the occasional 3? Damn, he’ll be the perfect compliment to Spurs running game. Again, Wemby, Fox will be constant. Castle should be even better in 2nd year. Vassell should get the memo and play complimentary shooter, and not over do it. Those are given. What is not is what Sochan will be coming from the off-season. I’m sure much relies on him getting better for not bringing the likes of John Collins and even KD. The Spurs are counting on Sochan to finally be that player they envisioned him to be. And he’s a soldier always doing what he’s told, be it playing PG, shooting one-hand, and even backup Center. 4th year is a make it or bust. I rather root for the former, wouldn’t you??

[Extra Stout]

You mean a 3rd stringer? We have Sochan, Champ, Barnes. We could pick up a 3rd stringer, but what would be the hole?

Sochan can’t shoot.

Barnes can’t rebound or defend.

Champ is a wing, not a PF.

There’s also Keldon Johnson, who can’t shoot or defend.

The Spurs have bodies to throw at the PF position, but all of them are serious liabilities in some way. None are starter quality.

So, gaping hole.

[Brazil]

we should temper a bit expectations tbh... Castle will only be a year 2, Victor will be a year 2,5.. we have two new rookies to develop, plenty of roster / rotation fit to figure out and lack of shooting. I'd be happy with a PO spot through play in.

[CorrectCrusader]

we should temper a bit expectations tbh... Castle will only be a year 2, Victor will be a year 2,5.. we have two new rookies to develop, plenty of roster / rotation fit to figure out and lack of shooting. I'd be happy with a PO spot through play in.

Top end talent should drag us to minimum 8th seed with Fox & Wemby.

[Brazil]

Top end talent should drag us to minimum 8th seed with Fox & Wemby.

I'm not sure about min but below play in would be disappointing

[Degoat]

If we’re healthy the ceiling is the roof! Lol honestly if health permits I could see the spurs finishing with a playoff spot. Last year 6th seed was 49 wins

[Mr. Body]

If Wemby is healthy and Harper is more than playable, this is a top 6 team, probably better.

[Ariel]

Provided good health, should be a top 8 seed at least, top 5 if they add a good shooting wing. Otherwise, heads should roll.

PS: I voted 6th

[Tyrone Jenkins]

The team still can't shoot (other than Barnes). Unless we can defend the 3 and score 2s at a 60% rate consistently, this is a 9 seed.

[LeBowen]

Thunder, Nuggets and Rockets are definitely stronger, no question.
Timberwolves deserve the benefit of the doubt because they kept their core together, they're behind these three teams, but definitely above the rest of the pack.

The rest is full of uncertainties.
On paper Mavs have the best roster when Kyrie comes back, but he'll be out until at least February and a lot is rotten in that organization, bad environment to play in. There are also the obvious AD injury concerns.
It wouldn't surprise me if AD gets injured and Flagg balls out.
If Mavs ownership had any common sense, they would've fired Nico and told the new GM to trade Kyrie/Klay/AD for younger players because like this they're on borrowed time. One, maybe two seasons left in their veterans before 3 years with no tradeable picks, meaning Flagg will probably find himself in Luka situation.

I personally think that Warriors and Clippers are past their expiry date. Especially the Warriors that don't even have a fully functional roster. They don't have any bigs, it's impossible to go through an entire regular season like that.
Clippers are at least functional and have good role players, but noone trusts Harden and nephew anymore.
Lakers will be a show. That roster just doesn't make sense anymore.

Where do the Spurs fit in all of this? I'd say that if Wemby is healthy and able to consistently play on his December level from this season, we can get the 5th seed. Obviously it's not a guarantee he can do it, but it feels like people forgot how good he can be.
Our roster isn't built for the playoffs without size on the wings, but it's a good regular season roster that's young and can outrun most teams. Matchups don't really matter as much in the regular season with teams just going through motions, especially contenders that are pacing themselves for the playoffs.
For all the size we lack on the wings, I don't see any teams other than Thunder and Rockets that can defend two of Fox/Castle/Harper at the same time. Rim pressure will be relentless, Wemby will run slow rim protectors off the floor and Spurs are going to be really annoying to play against with so much ability to get to the line with ease.
If Castle and Sochan improve their shot and are able to play together at the same time, it would make Spurs a really dangerous team. But I don't expect anything from Sochan, I've been disappointed enough.
Or who knows, maybe Bryant exceeds expectations early on. If he can be a positive defender right away and hit open shots, he should be in the rotation.

[bluebellmaniac]

5th. Mitch wants to keep his job and we're done tanking. Another tank and " o Seattle!"

[Manu20]

Minimum we should be in the play in but I voted for 6th because I remember we have an All Star Caliber PG in Fox to help Wemby. I'm guilty of forgetting that we have another star next to Wemby in Fox! Can't wait to see this duo in action next season!

[Mugen]

Top 6 seed would be a pretty monumental accomplishment tbh

[z0sa]

My guess is play-in spot. I'm presuming 7th but anywhere in the play-in would be expected. Anything less is a colossal failure, more is great.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Goal for me is .500

[LeBowen]

For those saying 9th seed, do you really believe Lakers/Clippers/Warriors will be better than the Spurs?

Fox/Castle/Vassell/Barnes/Wemby
Harper, Champagnie, Keldon, Bryant, Sochan, Kornet

Reaves/Vincent/Luka/Lebron/Ayton
Knecht, Vanderbilt, Hachimura

Harden/Powell/nephew/Jones Jr/Zubac
Dunn, Batum, Lopez

Curry/Moody/Butler/Green/TDJ
Podziemski, Hield...I guess we'll have to see what's the return for Kuminga S&T.

If we can't have a better record than those teams full of washed veterans, we might aswell relocate the franchise right away.

[scott]

I’m feeling optimistic, but I also remember in Wemby’s rookie year when everyone said to hammer the over on the Vegas line of 28.5 wins. I believe one veteran poster even posted something to the effect of “You’d have to be an idiot to not take the over”

So… I’m optimistic… but I’m also going to be following the Draft thread. After all, we have to be patient and not skip steps. Now that we have Harper, we have to reset and build around him.

[Bill_Brasky]

7th seed is where I think we fall. Above that would be pretty fantastic, imo.

[John B]

Wemby is hungry and probably frustrated that his team still has not made into the playoffs. He is supposed to be the future face of the NBA. And the Spurs will make sure to keep its franchise player happy, and not risk on billions of dollars bolting out. Anything less than a playoff spot would be a catastrophic meltdown.

The Spurs could’ve signed KD, could’ve offered tons of future FRP’s for Giannis. There’s still John Collins, Markkanen and more. A lot is hanging on Sochan as that critical piece in the starting lineup. I’m optimistic that the FO has seen enough progress not to entertain trades. IF Sochan comes in as that defensive stretch at 4, able to shoot 3’s and help push the ball down, passing in traffic. Wemby playing healthy, Fox playing clutch, Vassell shooting well at 2, Castle continuing to improve in his 2nd year. Kornet protecting the rims when Wemby sits. If everything aligns, there’s no doubt they pass T-Wolves, Clippers, Fakers, Dubs. That’s why I say 4th seed IF everything clicked.

[spurraider21]

yeah im gonna say top half of the play-in bracket

[ambchang]

The spurs had multiple issues last year, the biggest of which imho was the defensive coaching. Not sure if Williamson and Sweeney will fix them all but I do expect some improvements. Will put a write up around what I saw as issues and whether the front office addressed them.

[KobesAchilles]

we should temper a bit expectations tbh... Castle will only be a year 2, Victor will be a year 2,5.. we have two new rookies to develop, plenty of roster / rotation fit to figure out and lack of shooting. I'd be happy with a PO spot through play in.

So who are we getting rid of then next year? Bc if we can’t make it with this group that means we failed in our pre-Wemby drafts. Do we get rid of Vassell? KJ? Sochan? 2 outta 3?