The Spurs have already built a defense good enough to put them in the title conversation, and next season they’re expected to be even better on that side of the ball after adding to the roster. That opens up an interesting exercise: if San Antonio wanted to roll out its best possible defensive starting five, who actually makes the cut?
One thing is clear right away - the lineup probably starts without De'Aaron Fox. That doesn’t mean he was bad defensively; in fact, he was surprisingly good on that end last season. But in a defense-first build, the Spurs’ highest-paid player likely gets left out.
That pushes Stephon Castle into the lead role. He was basically the Spurs’ de facto point guard last season, and he already looks like an elite perimeter stopper. If he’s the one hounding opposing guards and wings, San Antonio would be avoiding any soft spots at the top of the floor.
The tougher call comes at shooting guard, where Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell are the main options. Harper was surprisingly good defensively as a rookie, but Vassell gets the nod here. He was excellent on that end all season, and in the postseason he kept stacking big plays when it mattered most.
At small forward, Carter Bryant is the easy pick. Even as a teenage rookie, he was an above-average wing defender, which is no small thing. With more seasoning, he could become even more dangerous in that role next season.
The frontcourt practically picks itself from there. Julian Champagnie would be the power forward in this defensive setup, not because he’s elite, but because he brings versatility.
He can handle guards, wings, and even some power forwards, and he’s also the team’s best non-center rebounder. A defense this good needs multiple rebounders, and he fits that requirement.
Then there’s Victor Wembanyama, who is simply in a class of his own. He’s far and away the greatest defensive player in the NBA, and anchoring the middle with him changes everything.
Put it all together and the Spurs’ ideal defensive starting five would be Castle, Vassell, Bryant, Champagnie, and Wembanyama. That group would be a nightmare to score against, with a 6'6 point guard, plenty of switchability on the perimeter, and four similarly sized defenders who can handle bigger matchups. On top of that, there would still be enough spacing around Castle and Wembanyama to keep the offense functional.
It may not be the actual starting five next season. But if San Antonio is building purely for defense, that’s the group that gives the Spurs their best shot.
In Other News...
Former Spurs Coach Pushes Back On Easy Finals Collapse Explanation
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That view also fits the way the Spurs had already handled adversity earlier in the postseason, when they clawed through difficult series and showed they could survive demanding moments. The difference in the Finals was their inability to protect leads when the margin got thin, and that is where San Antonio is now turning its attention this offseason, with the emphasis on sharper late-game clarity and better cohesion when every possession matters. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Harper Could Decide How Far The Spurs Really Go
Dylan Harpers rookie season gave the Spurs a useful glimpse of what he can already do for them. Coming off the bench, he averaged nearly four assists per game and finished in the top five among rookies in assists, which is a strong early sign for a young guard still carving out his place in the rotation. For a San Antonio team that has been looking for more reliable creation, Harpers passing already stands out as one of the cleaner parts of the picture.
The next step is less about flashing talent and more about handling the grind of half-court possessions, especially when games tighten and the offense slows down. Harper is expected to take on a bigger share of the playmaking load this season, and how much he grows in that area could matter far beyond his own development. If he can become steadier in those late-game moments, it would give the Spurs a much better chance of solving one of their lingering offensive problems. [Read more 🡒]
Keldon Johnson Suddenly Has Real Pressure In A Crucial Spurs Season
Keldon Johnson heads into the final year of his deal with the Spurs still waiting on a contract extension, and the timing makes this season feel different for him. What has long been one of San Antonios steadier veteran pieces is now tied to a roster that keeps getting younger, with the team continuing to sort out where Johnson fits in the long term as it builds around its next wave.
Carter Bryant is part of that picture, too, with the young wing giving the Spurs another player to develop at small forward. If Bryant keeps coming along, the pressure on Johnson only grows, because every minute on the floor now matters a little more and every roster decision carries more weight for what his future in San Antonio will look like. [Read more 🡒]