Pop's starting lineup conundrum is perfect timing for Western Conference in flux

As the San Antonio Spurs gear up for their first preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, October 7, head coach Gregg Popovich is still pondering who will start. After practice on Saturday, October 5, Popovich addressed the media, stating, “I still don’t know who’s gonna start on Monday,” though he hinted, “You can probably guess who some of the starters are.”

It’s clear that both Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul are locked into starting roles. Wembanyama, the franchise’s new face, and Paul, the seasoned leader, will bring a potent combination of youth and experience to the floor. Harrison Barnes is also a strong candidate to start, given his versatility and polished game, making it hard to imagine him not being in the opening lineup.

The roster is versatile enough to give Pop options

The real intrigue lies in the final two starting positions. Jeremy Sochan, known for his defensive versatility, could slide in at the four, giving the team a tough, multi-dimensional defender. But Popovich has options.

He could move Barnes to the four and open up the three for a player like Keldon Johnson or Julian Champagnie, adding more offensive firepower to the lineup. Johnson has proven to be a reliable scorer, and he's in better shape than ever. Champagnie has shown flashes of being a strong contributor as a solid wing defender and floor spacer.

What’s important to note is that Monday’s starting five likely won’t be set in stone. With four more preseason games on the horizon, Popovich has plenty of time to experiment and fine-tune the lineup. As he mentioned, “Everybody in general has stepped up, as you would expect... it’s a very competitive preseason, and we’ll have some tough decisions to make.”

This reservation in the starting lineup is actually a blessing. It signals that the players are competing hard, pushing each other to earn their minutes. For a young team looking to make a leap, this kind of internal competition can only be a positive sign.

Adding to the intrigue, the Western Conference is in a state of uncertainty. While it’s traditionally been seen as stronger than the Eastern Conference, several teams are expected to take a step back this season. The LA Clippers, for instance, will be without Paul George, a major blow to their chances. The Golden State Warriors are aging, and they’ve lost Klay Thompson.

The Lakers, though still formidable, have an aging core and didn’t make significant offseason additions beyond rookie Dalton Knecht. Meanwhile, teams like Utah, Portland, and Houston are still rebuilding, giving the Spurs an opportunity to leapfrog them in the standings.

Even the Denver Nuggets may not be as dominant as they have been in recent years. With the Western Conference experiencing so much transition, this could be the perfect time for the Spurs to make a playoff push. As the roster improves and other teams face challenges, the door is cracked open for San Antonio to make a postseason return—time to kick it in.