3 Spurs bold predictions for the 2025-26 NBA season

The last time The San Antonio Spurs returned to the postseason during the 2018-19 NBA seasonwhere they were eliminated in the first round. The last time the Spurs made it past the first round of the playoffs was in 2016-17, when Kawhi Leonard was still with the franchise, when they lost in the Western Conference semifinals.

This time, however, expectations are back to postseason relevance for a variety of reasons. Victor Vembanyama’s second year in San Antonio was derailed by a DVT diagnosis in February and by a score of 34–48, but the roster has been strengthened since then.

De’Aaron Fox was re-signed, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant landed at No. 2 and No. 14 in the 2025 draft, Luke Cornett and Kelly Olynyk add depth, and their young core of Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan return to action.
If Vembanjama’s “brutal” offseason pays off and health cooperates, San Antonio’s ceiling jumps quickly.

Vembanjama finishes in the top 3 in the MVP voting and wins the DPOI

The bet is simple: availability plus inevitability. In 46 games last season, Vembanjama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a league-best 3.8 blocks on 55% from the field and 35% from three, per Basketball-Reference.

The film matched the numbers: clearing drives, gobbling up lobs and bending the half-court without any fuss. He was second in DPOI as a rookie and was never in the running last year due to games played. This time he can be expected to win.

San Antonio’s defensive math also works in his favor. The Spurs defended as a top-10 unit with Wemby on the floor, but fell apart without him. Cornet’s arrival provides a true backup rim protector, something that was missing in his first two seasons.

What sets Wemby’s defensive dominance apart is that it comes with easy buckets at the other end. If San Antonio climbs into the high 40s in wins and Wemby solidifies a top-8 defense while posting 25/12/4 with elite efficiency, top-3 MVP is also within reach.

The Spurs have a long postseason

Define “long” as winning at least one series and credibly threatening another. The West is brutal, but San Antonio’s roster is finally addressing two of last year’s problems: fragile ball creation and non-Wembey minutes.

The front office has been decisive in the offseason and knows Wemby’s third season has the potential to be huge for the franchise. Much will depend on how fit their stars De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell can be.

However, the Spurs have an array of offensive weapons this time around. Dylan Harper is expected to be in the running for Rookie of the Year and can make a big impact off the bench, while Carter Bryant is also a big shot in the draft.

Spurs will obviously rely on Wembey’s brilliance again. However, the added depth and range of stars they now have at their disposal means that even in his absence, this team is capable of making the postseason.

San Antonio wins three All-Stars

Fox is the safest inclusion. He’s already made the All-Star team, and his context is cleaner: more cap space than he’s had, the league’s biggest player next to him, and the creation to back it all up.

He averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, playing in just 17 games. This time, fitness permitting, there’s no reason why Fox can’t earn what will be his second career All-Star appearance.

Both Fox and Wembanyama can be expected to make it if they stay fit. However, Devin Vassell can be a bit of a swing. He went 16.3/4.0/2.9 on 44/37/79 in 64 games last season. This season, Vassell can be expected to benefit immensely from Wembey and Fox, although it remains to be seen if his numbers can hold up as well.

Regardless, there is no doubt that there is huge reason for optimism as far as fans are concerned. The Spurs kept Fox, added two lottery picks, solidified the frontcourt and entered camp with enough depth on both ends of the court to actually spring surprises in the upcoming campaign.