The San Antonio Spurs are looking to make the playoffs next season for the first time since 2019. 

To qualify for the 2026 playoffs, the Spurs' starters have to play at a high level. 

San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson hasn't announced his starters for the 2025-26 season yet, but NBA analyst Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes Johnson will start De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes and Victor Wembanyama.

Hughes is giving this starting lineup a "B" grade. 

"Can Fox hit enough threes to ensure Castle is the only non-spacing threat on the floor? Can he also develop chemistry with Wembanyama after barely getting a chance to play with him at all last season? Will Vassell take a step forward and break the 20-point barrier for the first time as he enters his age-25 season?" Hughes wrote. 

"Tentatively, it seems like most of the answers will be 'yes.' But if Castle can't make shots, Dylan Harper could steal his spot. And if Vassell or Barnes aren't up to wrangling tough forward matchups, Jeremy Sochan could slide in to offer some help at the expense of spacing."

The Spurs went 34-48 last season. Due to injuries, Wembanyama and Fox appeared in just five games together.

Fox played in 17 games with the Spurs after getting traded by the Sacramento Kings before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his left pinkie on March 18, while Wembanyama was ruled out for the season on February 20 after a blood clot was found in his right shoulder.

A one-time All-Star, Fox will make $37.1 million next season. He signed a four-year, $229 million extension with the Spurs this offseason. The 27-year-old point guard has career averages of 21.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Kings and Spurs.

San Antonio selected Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The big man has career averages of 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.7 blocks.