22
Oct
Team Profile
San Antonio Spurs: Five things you need to know
Five-time champions San Antonio Spurs are a model NBA franchise
- Sustained excellence under Gregg Popovich
- Five NBA championships spanning three decades
- "The Spurs Way" - culture of selflessness and teamwork
The San Antonio Spurs are a franchise that is part of the National Basketball Association and have cultivated a culture of success, discipline and consistency. In a 15-year span starting from 1999 and ending 2014, the Spurs triumphed in five NBA Finals, overcoming some of the strongest assembled teams. Since the turn of the century, the Spurs have been one of the best run franchises, setting benchmarks for competitiveness on the court, and adopting one of the strongest recruitment strategies in recent times.
2024-25 NBA Season Summary
- Record: 34-48
- Finish: 13th seed
- All-Star Selections: Victor Wembanyama
The 2024-25 San Antonio Spurs were a team filled with untapped potential that experienced some roadblocks along on the way. Their best player Victor Wembanyama missed almost half the season, and their legendary head coach Gregg Popovich unfortunately experienced some health issues that forced the Spurs to change the structure of their organisation. Undergoing an element of adversity last season, the player that turned heads was rookie guard Stephon Castle who took home the rookie of the year award averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The mid-season trade to secure the work of De’Aaron Fox injected a bit of life into the Spurs offence, but their 23rd ranked defence was a huge drawback from their season.
Offseason Moves
- De’Aaron Fox agrees to 4-year extension
- Jordan McLaughlin returns on 1-year deal
- Bismack Biyombo returns on 1-year deal
Additions
- Luke Kornet agrees to 4-year deal
- Kelly Olynyk joins via trade with Wizards
- Lindy Waters III agrees to 1-year deal
Departures
- Malaki Branham departs via trade with Wizards
- Sandro Mamukelashvili departs in free agency to Raptors
- Chris Paul departs in free agency to Clippers
- Blake Wesley departs in free agency to Trail Blazers
The San Antonio Spurs have had an intriguing offseason, not looking to make headline acquisitions but complete under the radar deals. Trading for Kelly Olynyk could be an underrated deal given it secures a 12-year veteran who shoots high percentages from the field and can provide crucial depth at the forward/centre position. NBA champion Luke Kornet is another smart deal completed by the Spurs which improves their depth at centre and gives the Spurs another seven-footer who can close up the paint.
De’Aaron Fox earned himself a four-year, $229 million extension with the Spurs after injecting energy in the starting lineup last season. The Spurs have their man, but a massive talking point remains around how the team will utilise De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and 2025 number two pick Dylan Harper in the guard positions. A good problem to have, the Spurs will most likely utilise Dylan Harper off the bench or opt to field him in different starting lineups throughout the season.
The Spurs also drafted forward Carter Bryant who is expected to have an imminent impact on the Spurs offering a 3-and-D game with plenty of room for development. His presence on the roster could be another factor that shifts the rotation, with the Spurs already home to a plethora of talented forwards including Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Jeremy Sochan.
2025-26 Predicted Lineup
- Point Guard: De’Aaron Fox
- Shooting Guard: Stephon Castle
- Small Forward: Devin Vassell
- Power Forward: Harrison Barnes
- Centre: Victor Wembanyama
Australians who have played for the San Antonio Spurs
Patty Mills: Played with the Spurs from 2012 to 2021, contributing significantly to their 2014 NBA Championship win.
Jock Landale: Signed with the Spurs for the 2021–2022 season, providing depth as a centre before moving to the Hawks.
Andrew Gaze: Played for the Spurs during the 1998–1999 NBA season. Though his time with the team was brief, he was part of the roster when they won the 1999 NBA Championship, making him one of the few Australians to earn an NBA ring.
History of the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs were one of two American Basketball Association (ABA) teams to remain since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Following their introduction into the league, the Spurs were an imminent on-court success securing five division titles in their first seven years led by Hall of Famer George Gervin.
San Antonio's greatest teams were defined by their Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili alongside a rotating cast of complementary role players. The 1999 title team featured Duncan and David Robinson as Twin Towers dominating inside. Later championship squads showcased a more balanced inside-outside attack.
The Spurs dynasty from 1999-2014 ranks among the greatest runs in NBA history. Led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs won five championships over a 15-year span. Their sustained excellence set records for consecutive 50-win seasons (18) and playoff appearances (22 straight). Kawhi Leonard became a prominent figure for the Spurs throughout the 2010’s winning Finals MVP in their 2014 victory over Miami’s big three.
Victor Wembanyama headlines the new look Spurs as they look to break their six-year playoff drought this season. Partnered with De’Aaron Fox and rising stars Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper the Spurs have constructed a talented young roster filled with energy and technical proficiency.
Identity
The Spurs have long been defined by their disciplined, fundamentally-sound style of play under head coach Gregg Popovich. Known as "The Spurs Way", the team emphasises ball movement, smart shot selection, and stifling team defence. The Spurs pride themselves on playing an unselfish brand of basketball, with players putting team success above individual accolades.
San Antonio's team culture values high-character players who buy into the system. The front office has excelled at finding undervalued international talent and developing players within their system. This approach has allowed the Spurs to remain competitive for decades despite rarely having high draft picks.
Now under the guidance of coach Mitch Johnson, the Spurs play at a deliberate pace, working for high-percentage shots through ball and player movement. Defensively, they emphasise protecting the paint, contesting shots, and limiting opponents' fast break opportunities. While not known for flashy play, the Spurs' disciplined approach has produced consistent success.
Five Fast Facts
- The Spurs' .592 all-time winning percentage is the second highest in NBA history
- San Antonio has made the playoffs in 39 of 49 seasons since joining the NBA
- Tim Duncan's 1,001 career victories are the most ever for a player with one team
- Gregg Popovich's 1,560 wins rank 1st all-time among NBA head coaches
- The Spurs hold the record for the most consecutive seasons with 50 or more wins (18)
Club Timeline
- 1967: Franchise founded as Dallas Chaparrals in ABA
- 1973: Team relocates and becomes San Antonio Spurs
- 1976: Spurs join NBA as part of ABA-NBA merger
- 1987: Draft David Robinson with #1 overall pick
- 1997: Draft Tim Duncan with #1 overall pick
- 1999: Win first NBA championship
- 2002: Draft Manu Ginobili 57th overall
- 2001: Draft Tony Parker 28th overall
- 2003-2014: Win 4 more NBA titles over 12-year span
- 2016: Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons
- 2018: Trading Kawhi Leonard marks end of championship era
- 2023: Win NBA draft lottery, select Victor Wembanyama #1 overall
The Spurs will need to make a big leap in order to book a playoff berth, after finishing as the 13th seed in the 2024/25 season. Boosted by the return of their main man Victor Wembanyama and the effective strategic recruitment of low- profile role players, the Spurs are more than capable of making a push for the playoffs. With Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant knocking on the door for starting roles, the lineup choices made by head coach Mitch Johnson in his first full season will be under the spotlight. With no shortage of talent on the Spurs, all that's left is bringing it all together and delivering the franchise out of one of its lowest periods in its existence.
