From waiver wire uncertainty to record-breaking sharpshooter, the 25-year-old secures his future in San Antonio after shattering franchise distance records and cementing his role alongside the Spurs' core.
Julian Champagnie just received the best 25th birthday present he could've received from the San Antonio Spurs.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, Champagnie intends to sign a three-year, $45 million extension with San Antonio, keeping him in a Spurs uniform through the 2028-29 season.
The deal possesses a "unique structure that gets him paid early, includes $42 million in new money and provides the Spurs some flexibility," Charania wrote.
Appearing in all 82 games this past season, Champagnie averaged 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while carving out a vital role with San Antonio.
The St. John's product set two major franchise records during his third full season as a Spur, including breaking Danny Green's single-season record for three-pointers made with 192 and San Antonio's single-game record for three-pointers made with 11.
The latter record was broken on New Year's Eve when San Antonio defeated — ironically — the New York Knicks, 134-132, at Frost Bank Center.
Champagnie's journey to the Spurs is unique, and it all stems from Mac McClung's first dunk contest win during All-Star Weekend 2023.
On Valentine's Day 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers waived Champagnie to make room for Mac McClung on a two-way contract, allowing the eventual Slam Dunk Contest champion to wear a Sixers jersey during All-Star Weekend instead of a Delaware Blue Coats uniform
San Antonio signed Champagnie two days later, and he's now been a Spur ever since.
“I thought it was over, I ain’t going to lie to you. Getting waived with no warning, no explanation or anything, it was tough," Champagnie said ahead of San Antonio's 2026 NBA Finals appearance. "It was a hard night. Obviously, I cried a lot, was pissed, but it just fueled the fire.”
After concluding his first season with the Spurs in 2022-23, Champagnie inked a four-year, $12 million contract that summer — which became one of the biggest bargains league-wide.
Champagnie has grown into a reliable, full-time starter in San Antonio and is a vital piece of the franchise's young core.
The extension serves as both a reward for Champagnie's development and a statement from San Antonio's front office.
Once viewed as a fringe NBA player fighting to stay in the league, the 25-year-old has transformed himself into one of the Spurs' most dependable starters and a perfect complement to Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
Now, after turning a waiver wire opportunity into a career-defining run, Champagnie has the long-term security to match his record-setting impact as San Antonio's front office continues building toward getting back to championship contention.
