Predicting the Spurs' next championship on the anniversary of their last

Ten years ago today, the San Antonio Spurs completed a remarkable journey by defeating the Miami Heat in five games to secure their fifth NBA championship. Kawhi Leonard may have won the Finals MVP, but everyone knew that the team was still led by the ageless Tim Duncan. As the Spurs now seek to reclaim their place at the mountaintop of the NBA, they have a new steward of the future: Victor Wembanyama.

The Spurs already have a solid foundation to build greatness

Starting from ground zero after back-to-back 22–60 seasons might seem daunting, but the Spurs' cupboard is far from bare. While the focus is understandably on Wembanyama, fans should not overlook the potential of Devin Vassell.

Still only 23 years old, Vassell has shown he can make tough shots and nearly averaged 20 points per game last season. His continued development alongside Wembanyama will be crucial and could have been enough, with the right supporting cast, to make significant noise in the near future without the Spurs' arsenal of assets poised to bring in another major piece.

The Spurs, however, do have those assets, making it probable that they will add another all-star caliber player to bolster their roster. Given the franchise’s reputation, their capital, Vassell’s presence, and the expectation that Wembanyama will soon become the league’s best player, it shouldn't take long for San Antonio to find themselves back in the NBA Finals.

The current parity in the league, with six different champions in as many years, suggests that the National Basketball Association is begging for a new dynasty to emerge. San Antonio, with its storied history and generational talent in Wembanyama, is perfectly positioned to become that next great team. If everything stays on track, Spurs fans should realistically expect their team to win a sixth franchise championship by the time Coach Gregg Popovich's contract expires.

Coach Popovich, now 75 years old, has four years left on his current deal. There's no better way to send the greatest coach of all time into retirement than with one more ring. If Popovich, who shows no signs of slowing down, chooses to stay even longer, the Spurs will undoubtedly continue to benefit from his unparalleled leadership.