Julian Champagnie's extension doubles down on Spurs' perfect Wembanyama formula

Julian Champagnie has just committed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the Spurs, according to Shams Charania. This was an expected outcome for the St. Johns product. Entering the final year of his $3 million deal, he declined his option to usher in an extension instead, and he's earned every penny. Champagnie's three-point shooting and defense were imperative to the team's success this season.

While San Antonio has just rewarded one of their hard-working soldiers, they've also reinforced a clear strategy of prioritizing defense and spacing around their 7'4" superstar. There's a specific design the Spurs have in mind to maximize Victor Wembanyama. You can see it clear as day, and some might call it... beautiful.

The Spurs are running an aggressive pace and space hybrid

Mitch Johnson has consistently emphasized pace in his offense. But pace works best when the floor has the requisite amount of space. That's why the Silver and Black keep investing in players who can defend multiple spots without sacrificing shooting.

The Spurs' head coach wants the guys to play fast, move the ball, and play with force on offense. On defense, they want to bully you, cut you off, deny passing lanes, block shots, and push you around. This roster continues to be shaped with that identity in mind.

You can't have pace without space, so when you have a player on your roster who can get so blistering hot that watching him drop eight threes is no longer a surprise, you keep him. Champagnie's flamethrower is an invaluable asset, opening up the floor for the three guards and Wembanyama to dominate the inside. The dynamic will continue creating headaches for opponents.

San Antonio's draft class fits the same vision

Juju isn't the only example of the Spurs leaning into this philosophy. The draft showed they were chasing the same exact archetype. You can't get out and run if you don't end defensive possessions with rebounds.

Knowing they could use an improvement in that area, especially when Wemby is off the court, they drafted Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr. These are the margins we often discuss when contenders are working the fringes of their rosters to squeeze the most out of every spot.

And these players are so young that there's still so much room to add to their game. Reed and Quaintance were brought in to be physical, bruising players who crash the boards, protect the rim, and shut down offenses, but there's offensive potential to be tapped, too.

If both rookie big men can be solid floor spacers, the sky is the limit for this roster, as there wouldn't be much they couldn't do. It would be impossible to scheme against. The versatility of the team would be unheard of, as the skill sets of each player are incredibly vast.

Nearly every player on the floor could defend, move the ball, and, one day, make you pay for leaving them open. Champagnie's extension is just the latest confirmation that this is the blueprint.

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