By prioritizing chemistry and adding veteran Tobias Harris to Victor Wembanyama’s supporting cast, San Antonio solidified its championship foundation while betting on internal growth over splashy deals.
The San Antonio Spurs entered the offseason with far different expectations than they had just a couple seasons ago. Instead of trying to accelerate a rebuild, they were looking to strengthen a roster that had just reached the NBA Finals. Rather than making sweeping changes, the front office focused on building around a team that had already proven it could compete for a championship.
That approach earned positive marks from CBS Sports, which handed the Spurs a 'B' grade for their offseason.
The most notable addition was Tobias Harris, who gives the Spurs another reliable forward capable of scoring, defending multiple positions, and providing playoff experience. Harris fills a need at power forward and should ease some of the offensive burden on Victor Wembanyama without requiring the ball in his hands every possession.
Rather than making a splash for the sake of making one, the Spurs prioritized continuity after a season that ended with an appearance on the NBA's biggest stage. That approach allows the team's chemistry to continue growing while players like Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Carter Bryant develop into larger roles.
The biggest reason the Spurs didn't receive an even higher grade was the belief that they may not have made a dramatic enough upgrade compared to some of the other contenders in the Western Conference. Several rivals were aggressive during free agency and the trade market, while San Antonio largely chose to build from within after adding Harris.
Still, that's not necessarily a negative.
Teams coming off Finals appearances often don't need big changes, and the Spurs are betting that another year of development from Wembanyama and their young supporting cast will provide the biggest improvement.
That, combined with the fact that the Spurs got a very fun prospect in this year's draft in Jayden Quaintance to go alongside the French phenom, the reigning Western Conference champions have had a very intriguing offseason so far.
A 'B' grade may not sound spectacular, but for a team already knocking on the door of a championship, it reflects confidence that the foundation is already in place. If San Antonio's young stars continue to improve, this offseason could ultimately look much better than a letter grade suggests.
