3 Spurs who are franchise building blocks, 4 that should be cut loose

The San Antonio Spurs have the best young talent in the world in Victor Wembanyama, but work must be done to build around him. They won just 22 games and were over 25 behind making the playoffs. Wemby is only 20, but he won’t settle for being near the bottom of the standings for long. The Spurs should already feel the pressure to nail this offseason and put more talent around him.

It starts with two draft picks in the top eight this year. San Antonio could make the selections or try to trade them for win-now help. Do not expect the Spurs to deviate from their plan, but the best deals are made when an unexpected opportunity presents itself. San Antonio will always be listening and waiting to strike.

Their sole focus should be building around Wemby. It is already clear that some pieces do not fit and others should remain part of their core. Now, is the time for the Spurs to make moves.

Expendable: Tre Jones

The Spurs were significantly better with Jones running their offense this season, but it was clear that he is not their point guard of the future. Gregg Popovich began the campaign with Jeremy Sochan as their lead playmaker and Jones coming off the bench until the experiment failed miserably.

Jones did not burst into the starting five until January, and the team won 17 games with him leading their attack. Even as the only true point guard on their roster, he averaged just 27.8 minutes per game for the season and 30.3 as a starter. Jones is undersized and a defensive liability. The Spurs like him as a reserve, but do not view him as their long-term answer at point guard.

He is under contract for the 2024-25 season at $9.1 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Spurs should look to move on, especially if they can find a significant upgrade. San Antonio wants their starter playing significant minutes, which would leave just 13 to 18 minutes a night for Jones. If he wants more, the Spurs should get something in return now.

Building block: Jeremy Sochan

The ninth overall pick in 2022 remains a building block in San Antonio, but coach Pop is still figuring out how to maximize his skill set. Sochan was asked to play point guard to begin his second season, but that did not work. His versatility is intriguing, but makes it tough to find his perfect role.

His shooting improved, but the 21-year-old still made just 30.8 percent from 3-point range. Wembanyama is far from an elite shooter, and the Spurs have to figure out how to maximize space if that is their long-term frontcourt.

Sochan’s youth and versatile skill set make it far too early to trade him. His defense has been subpar and his negative-0.8 value over replacement (VORP) was the 13th-worst in the NBA this season. Still, there is plenty to be excited about. Having a 6’8 forward who can handle the ball, make plays, and defend multiple positions is a luxury.

Sochan may never be a star, but he should be a quality rotation piece for years to come. Making it work next to Victor Wembanyama won't be easy, but it is too soon to give up. The Spurs must let both players blossom and improve together. It will take time, but that is the advantage of having two building blocks under 22 years old.

Keeping Jeremy Sochan next to Wemby ensures this big man should be made available.

Expendable: Zach Collins

The Spurs gave Collins a two-year $35 million extension on the eve of the season. It kicks in this summer and has the 6’11 big man locked in until 2026. Collins has versatility as a playmaker, but this fit just does not work next to Victor Wembanyama.

The 26-year-old has played six years in the NBA and 76 percent of his minutes have come at the five. He struggles to protect the rim and rebound, but Wemby can make up for that. It is Collins's inconsistent shooting that makes this an unworkable fit. He has shot 33.6 percent from 3-point range in his career and just 32.0 percent last season.

Collins also struggles to stay healthy. He played 63 and 69 games in the last two seasons but averages just 44.8 per year since joining the league in 2017.

The Spurs cannot afford to pay $17.5 million per season for a backup center. Wembanyama will play 35 minutes per game and Jeremy Sochan should play 30-plus. That leaves just 31 frontcourt minutes available. Unless Collins is getting every single one, San Antonio should look to trade him for the best possible offer.

Shooting, playmaking, and defense are key aspects the Spurs need around Wemby. Zach Collins struggles in two of those areas, but this standout wing is certainly a fit.

Building block: Devin Vassell

Vassell’s five-year $135 million extension kicks in this summer. Some questioned the price when the deal was announced, but the NBA’s new media deal will see the cap rise for the foreseeable future. Assuming Vassell continues to improve, his contract may look like a bargain in a couple of years.

The 6’5 wing averaged 19.5 points, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 33.1 minutes per game in 2024. He shot a career-high 47.2 percent from the field and made 37.2 percent of his 3-point tries.

There are questions about his defense and optimal role in San Antonio, but he can space the floor with the ability to make plays and get buckets. The Spurs need shooters around Victor Wembanyama, and the 6’5 wing’s D should improve with the 7’4 big man cleaning up messes behind him.

Devin Vassell is still years away from his prime and will continue to blossom. The San Antonio Spurs need more talent, which may push him down the offensive pecking order, but expect him to play a key role on the wing for years to come.

They have one spot figured out, but their other starter is a box still left unchecked. It is certainly time to move on from this season’s primary option.

Expendable: Julian Champagnie

Champagnie went undrafted in 2022 after three years at St. John’s. He signed a two-way contract with the 76ers before being waived in mid-February. The Spurs claimed him because 6’8 wings capable of spacing the floor are not easy to find.

In his first full season in San Antonio, Champagnie started the fourth-most games but averaged the eighth-most minutes. He produced just 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 19.8 minutes per contest. The 22-year-old had a 0.0 value over replacement player (VORP) and was significantly below average in win shares per 48.

The Spurs must upgrade on the wing. Champagnie is set to make $3 million per year for each of the next three seasons. It is a bargain, so there is no rush to dump him. San Antonio cannot be starting the 6’8 wing and playing him massive minutes. Champagnie should be a 15 to 20-minute per night reserve.

The Spurs must add starting caliber options at point guard and on the wing if they want to contend. They have their superstar, but the talent around him must be better. San Antonio has draft capital and young talent to trade. There is no reason to wait. Wemby is already elite and will only improve, so try to win now.

Building block: Victor Wembanyama

Wemby entered the league as the most-hyped prospect since LeBron James and more than lived up to it. The 7’4 big man averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game. He won Rookie of the Year and was named first-team All-Defense while finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. All of that as a 20-year-old in his first NBA season.

Wembanyama is already an elite player and history suggests he will take a massive leap in year two. Luka Doncic went from Rookie of the Year to first-team All-NBA, and Kings James landed on the second team. Wemby is likely a top-ten player next season.

Elite players want talent around them. How long will the 20-year-old be willing to wait? The Spurs hope to play things slow and build a sustainable contender. That sounds perfect in theory, but if a superstar demands the roster improve, it becomes difficult to say no.

The San Antonio Spurs again won the lottery and drafted one of the best players in the world. Victor Wembanyama is on pace to be an all-time great like Tim Duncan and David Robinson. The franchise built championship teams around them, so have faith that they will find the right path to creating a winner around Wemby.

Expendable: Keldon Johnson

Johnson has three years and $54 million remaining on his contract. It is a reasonable deal for the 2019 first-round draft pick, but the Spurs should move on because of his fit.

The 6’5 wing was moved to the bench this season because he struggles to space the floor. His jumper is inconsistent, and Johnson has made just 33.7 percent from 3-point range in the last two seasons combined. He can get buckets, but the Spurs need more from a starting wing next to Wemby.

San Antonio is open to offers and may trade the 24-year-old this summer. He produced just a 0.2 VORP in 2024, and the Spurs need more as they look to build a contender.

Keldon Johnson should be the key salary matcher in a trade for a second star. The 24-year-old’s talent and contract should be pluses for a rebuilding team. Johnson can play more on the ball and continue to expand his game as the Spurs upgrade to a necessary piece next to Wembanyama. This deal could be a win for all involved.

The San Antonio Spurs have work to do this summer. They need to add more building blocks around Victor Wembanyama and move some pieces that do not fit. Do the Spurs push toward contention this summer? Do not be surprised to see them make moves.