The San Antonio Spurs are expected to sign Victor Wembanyama to a maximum extension, but another key starter is also due for a big payday.
The top priority for the San Antonio Spurs this offseason is inking Victor Wembanyama to the longest, most expensive contract possible. General manager Brian Wright should not be ready for a negotiation, he should be ready for a quick agreement.
Signing Wembanyama is not the only point on the docket this summer. The Spurs have the NBA Draft, possible trades, and free agency to look forward to.
With Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk off the books, the Spurs will have around $32 million extra to spend. By all accounts, securing Julian Champagnie for the long-term is a necessary move.
Champagnie's Next Contract Outlined
Champagnie just set a single-season franchise record, sinking 195 3-pointers. He averaged 11.1 points per game this season and is one of the lowest-paid players in the league, making only $3 million per season.
2026-27 is the last year on his contract, and his play should have incentivized the Spurs to offer him a fairer deal. However, with extensions to Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Carter Bryant to consider in the coming seasons, Champagnie's next deal will have to be carefully structured.
"That likely entails committing to something like five years and $100 million or so, i.e. paying him just south of nine figures in new money in addition to the team option and spreading that money over five seasons," outlined The Athletic's John Hollinger. "To further smooth the cap hit, San Antonio could start the contract at its maximal value and decline his salary by 8 percent each season."
In recent summers, the Spurs have signed both Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell to declining contracts, where their annual salary decreases every year, with a slight overpay in the first few seasons to make up for it.
Knowing that Harper and Castle won't be cheap, making sure there's as much open money as possible in the next few offseasons is a must. While the Spurs should offer Champagnie a fair contract, managing how exactly he gets his money over five years will be tough to navigate.
To secure a key starter and the best shooting threat on the roster, expect the Spurs to open up their pocketbooks, marking one of the biggest raises in NBA history.
