5 Shocking events that could happen to Spurs over the next year

The San Antonio Spurs pulled another miracle in the draft lottery and got their superstar to build around in Victor Wembanyama. The 7’4 big man is the most-hyped prospect since LeBron James, and it altered the entire franchise’s future. San Antonio had an otherwise quiet offseason as they used their cap space to acquire more assets. They want to give Wemby time to develop, but the Spurs are positioned to make a massive splash at any moment.

What is next? They have to get down to 15 players before the start of the regular season, but the Spurs are not projected to contend. They will be a difficult matchup on any night, and Gregg Popovich will lead them to some unexpected victories. Still, the Spurs likely finish near the bottom of the Western Conference and end up back in the lottery.

Fans should be excited, and things could change quickly. It will depend on Wemby’s development. If he quickly becomes a star, the front office could speed up the reshaping of their roster.

Shocking events that could happen to the San Antonio Spurs over the next year

5. Wemby becomes a top 5 player in the NBA

This is not that uncommon and checks in as the least shocking thing on this list. Luka Doncic was first-team All-NBA and an All-Star starter in his second NBA season. LeBron James made second-team All-NBA and made his first All-Star appearance. Keeping going back to find that many legends become one of the league’s best in their second season.

One year from now, Wembanyama could already be one of the five best players in the league. There is room as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are in their mid-30s. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid feel locked in, but passing Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, and Luka feels doable for the teenage prodigy.

There will be a ton of hype, but Wembanyama is more than capable of exceeding it. He will be an elite rim-protector and shot-blocker from day one, but how will his offensive game translate? If Wemby can score 18 points per game as a rookie, the stage will be set for him to leap into superstar status in year two.

If Victor Wembanyama wins Rookie of the Year and is already a star, the San Antonio Spurs could move quickly in building around him.

4. Spurs trade for 2 starters

The Spurs have some pieces of their core around Victor Wembanyama, but it is far from a finished product. Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan are a strong young group with a ton of potential, but the Spurs still need to add two of their top six players.

San Antonio wants to use Wemby at the four early on. He needs time to add muscle and fully grow into his body. That won’t be an overnight process, and it could be a few years before he is ready to play the five full-time.

The Spurs need a lead ball-handler and playmaker to run the offense and should still be searching for a starting center that can take the load off their teenage prodigy. They have stockpiled more draft picks than they can select, and San Antonio is just waiting for the right moment to cash in.

Expect the San Antonio Spurs to be one of the most active teams on the trade market over the next year. They will likely stockpile additional draft assets before the trade deadline by trading Reggie Bullock, Cedi Osman, and others. That will lead to cashing on some marquee talent that can help them get back into contention in the summer of 2024, including acquiring two new starters to complement Victor Wembanyama.

3. Coach Pop retires

This would be shocking because Gregg Popovich just signed a fresh five-year extension that runs through 2028, but he was earned the right to go out on his terms. The Hall of Famer is eager to coach Victor Wembanyama in year one, but all good things must come to an end.

Pop turns 75 years old in January, and there have been plenty of rumblings in recent years. He has been with the Spurs since 1994 and became their head coach in 1996. The next longest-tenured head coach is Erik Spoelstra, who joined the Heat in 2008. There is plenty to be excited about in coaching young talent, but Popovich has to walk away at some point.

Some thought he would after the 2022-23 season, and fans should expect him to reevaluate things after this year. Pop talked about when he would retire in January and left it open-ended.

Nobody knows when Popovich will walk away, but it is on the horizon. It would be shocking to see him retire, especially if Victor Wembanyama is becoming a star before his eyes, but crazier things have happened in the NBA. He will leave the San Antonio Spurs in a fantastic place whenever that moment comes, and it is something to watch as the season progresses.

2. Spurs trade for a star

This move feels like a matter of when not if for the Spurs. They have five additional first-round picks plus all of their selections over the next seven years. San Antonio cannot have 13 first-round picks on their roster. They need to consolidate some of them into one asset, and that means paying a massive price for a superstar.

Expect the Spurs to stay patient as they look for the right piece. They do not want to go all-in on Damian Lillard or James Harden because those two would be declining as Wembanyama enters his prime. San Antonio needs someone younger that has a decade-plus left at the top of their game.

The Spurs could certainly get involved in the sweepstakes for Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, or Luka Doncic if those players become available over the next year. If any of their teams struggle next season, they could ask out in hopes of competing for a championship elsewhere. If Wemby becomes a star, the Spurs will suddenly look like the perfect situation.

Who will be the San Antonio Spurs’ star acquisition? Nobody knows. It depends on who asks to be traded, and that player’s willingness to team with Victor Wembanyama in the Alamo.

1. Spurs become title contenders

Add it all up, and this is the only outcome. If Victor Wembanyama becomes a top-five player in the NBA, and the San Antonio Spurs trade for a co-star and another capable starter, they will be in the title race. Expect them to go from 22 wins to somewhere in the 30s this season. With the addition of a second star and another improvement from Wemby, they will be pushing 50 victories and a top-three finish in the Western Conference.

LeBron helped the Cavaliers go from 17 wins to 35 to 42 to 50 in his first four years, but the Spurs have arguably a better supporting cast and the assets to improve faster. They are already five wins ahead, and the addition of a second star could have them to 50 in year two with Wemby.

Fans want nothing more than to see their team back in the mix. They have missed the playoffs four straight years and haven’t advanced beyond the first round since 2017. Getting back into contention feels close, but a ton rests on Victor Wembanyama. Can he become a superstar and lead the Spurs back up the mountain? The French prodigy is ready to embrace that challenge.

What will happen to the San Antonio Spurs over the next year? Can they pull off a blockbuster trade and get back into the title race? Stay tuned to find out.