Coach Pop contradicts everyone's projected lineup expectations

NBA Media Day is always a time for hope, hype, and—if you're a San Antonio Spurs fan—Coach Gregg Popovich’s signature unpredictability. As the Silver and Black get ready for the 2024-25 season with training camp starting tomorrow, October 1, Pop took the mic for about 10 minutes during Media Day.

It’s vintage Popovich—a mix of honesty and humor. But his response might have fans and analysts rethinking the presumed starting five that many believed was set in stone. Most projections had Chris Paul, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama as the starting lineup once everyone’s healthy.

Maybe the Spurs starting lineup isn't set in stone

Wembanyama, Vassell, and Paul feel like sure things, but with Pop declaring that the rest of the spots are up for grabs, fans can take some time to imagine the different possibilities.

Popovich’s comment opens up competition, which shouldn’t be too surprising. The Spurs have more depth this season than they’ve had in recent years, and he has always rewarded players who earn their minutes through hard work.

Could Keldon Johnson, find his way back into the starting five? It’s certainly possible if he shows that he can build chemistry with Wembanyama and improve on defense.

What about Julian Champagnie? Sure, it’s a long shot, but Champagnie has shown flashes of offensive versatility and defensive toughness. If training camp shakes out differently than expected, maybe Champagnie sneaks into the rotation ahead of some bigger names.

Then there’s Stephon Castle, the rookie guard. Castle’s playing time may be limited, especially with Vassell and Paul in the backcourt. But with Vassell missing at least the first five games, does Castle suddenly have an opportunity to make an impact? It wouldn’t be shocking if Castle finds himself getting more minutes than anticipated.

The Spurs’ “team-first” mentality has been a constant theme during the offseason, and that mindset makes it harder to predict who has the mental fortitude to come off the bench. As Popovich hinted, the players themselves will dictate the rotations and roles, and if the competition is close, the decision-making process becomes even murkier.

Of course, it’s also entirely possible that Pop is just having some fun with the media. After all, this is a guy who has been known to troll reporters and fans alike.

The smart money still says Barnes and Sochan round out the starting five alongside Wemby, Vassell, and Paul—especially once Vassell is back from injury. But for now, it’s fun to imagine other scenarios where someone unexpected earns a starting spot.