Spurs Accelerate Plans for 2026, Fueling Championship Ambitions Around Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs, long known for their disciplined, patient approach, have officially shifted gears in their pursuit of championship contention.
After a shocking 144-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 31, which featured another jaw-dropping play from Victor Wembanyama, the team has made a bold move that signals a new era for the franchise.
The play in question? Wembanyama’s gravity-defying block of a Damian Lillard layup, a moment so extraordinary that even the Spurs staff, accustomed to his impossible feats, couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
The referees initially called goaltending, but after a successful challenge from the Spurs, they reversed the call — Wembanyama had, in fact, blocked it cleanly.
This incredible display of skill has only heightened the urgency for the Spurs, who currently sit at 22-26, 12th in the Western Conference. Despite it being just Wembanyama’s second season, the franchise knows it can’t waste any time building a roster around its generational talent.
That’s why, in a move that shocked many, San Antonio became a part of a three-team trade that saw them send three future first-round picks to Sacramento in exchange for All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox.
This trade, which may seem like a rare move for a franchise that has largely avoided midseason blockbuster trades, is just the beginning. The Spurs’ future moves are being strategically shaped by the looming 2026 free agency — a year that has become the focal point of their plans for the next stage of their roster construction.
The logic behind this shift is simple: Wembanyama is special. Some believe he could be the best player in the NBA as soon as next season, and the Spurs know they can’t afford to waste his prime years.
But there’s a problem. Aside from Wembanyama, the Spurs’ roster doesn’t yet boast an obvious All-Star-caliber player who can complement their 7-foot-4 phenom.
Before the trade, San Antonio’s only rotation player with a solid PER or positive BPM, aside from Wembanyama, was 39-year-old Chris Paul. As promising as young players like Jeremy Sochan and Stephon Castle may be, the Spurs can’t rely solely on them to become Wembanyama’s partner in leading the team forward.
So, the Spurs pushed the accelerator. With several valuable future picks from past trades, they were able to acquire Fox without sacrificing too much. Moreover, their moves have set them up to be a major player in the 2026 free-agent market.
With ample cap space and a team that now boasts two stars — Wembanyama and Fox — San Antonio could become a destination for top-tier free agents looking to team up with a rising superstar in a no-tax state.
2026 is key because that’s when Wembanyama will likely sign a designated player max extension, meaning it will be the last opportunity for the Spurs to use their cap room or expiring contracts to add another elite player before becoming a more expensive contender. This is why the Fox trade feels like the first domino in a series of strategic moves set for 2026.
But it’s not just about the Spurs. The entire NBA is gearing up for a massive shake-up in 2026. While some teams like Brooklyn and Detroit are focusing on cap space in 2025, 2026 is where the real action will be.
Even if names like Luka Dončić and Fox are removed from the equation, the free-agent class is stacked, with potential stars like Kevin Durant, Trae Young, Damian Lillard, and Zach LaVine among others. The 2026 class promises to change the landscape of the league.
This frenzy of moves isn’t limited to the Spurs. Teams like the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Memphis Grizzlies are positioning themselves to be flexible for the 2026 market, making moves to open up cap space or to make sure they can re-sign their stars.
The 2026 season is going to be pivotal for the entire NBA — and for the Spurs, it’s going to be all about Victor Wembanyama. With their eyes firmly on that horizon, San Antonio is poised to be a major player in reshaping the future of the league.
