Examining Spurs' Salary Cap, Decisions for 2026 NBA Free Agency after Finals Loss
Few teams in the NBA have a roster more likely built for long-term success than the San Antonio Spurs.
Motivation won't be an issue, either, after the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs endured some crushing losses to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. In a hard-fought series, New York dispatched San Antonio in five games.
But the Spurs shouldn't be fading much—or at all.
San Antonio rattled off a 60-win campaign and boasts a youth-filled team of players that remain under contract in 2026-27 and beyond.
2026 Salary Cap
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San Antonio possesses one of the NBA's more enviable cap situations due to its number of key players on rookie deals.
In addition to Wembanyama at $16.9 million—a pittance, relative to his impact—next season, Dylan Harper ($13 million), Stephon Castle ($10 million), Carter Bryant ($5.1 million) are also on their initial agreements.
Keldon Johnson, the league's Sixth Man of the Year, is due a modest $17.5 million in the final year of his extension, as well.
Those contracts are why San Antonio enters the offseason with $151.7 million on the ledger, below the projected $165 million salary cap—and far under the $201 million luxury tax or restrictive apron levels.
De'Aaron Fox ($51 million) is the highest earner, followed by Devin Vassell ($27 million) on a still-affordable deal.
Top Contract Decisions
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Julian Champagnie has a $3 million team option for next season, and San Antonio undoubtedly will exercise it.
All due respect to his ascent, the other contract is the biggest news on the horizon. Wembanyama is eligible to sign a five-year, $251 million rookie max extension, which is a completely obvious choice for the Spurs to offer.
Wemby's inevitable deal wouldn't kick in until the 2027-28 season, however, giving the Spurs plenty of flexibility this summer.
Exactly how much? It's a sneaky important question.
That answer is dependent on whether San Antonio is legitimately thinking about moving on from Fox. He's extremely talented, but would that $51 million be better spent bolstering around Wemby, Castle and Harper?
If the Spurs wanted to reset the timeline of their high-dollar contracts, they could dangle Fox—a clutch, productive guard in his prime with three seasons left on his contract—for a collection of draft picks.
Free Agents to Pursue
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Among the Spurs' expiring deals, Harrison Barnes is perhaps the lone priority to retain—and only at a reduced rate. He's a nice veteran to have, though.
San Antonio's overarching goal should be clear: Make it easier on Wemby.
Underwhelming depth in the frontcourt stung the Spurs against OKC, so a floor-spacing forward is a must-add. Rui Hachimura and Nikola Vucevic fit that billing, as does LeBron James—who is probably a daydream but would be a tremendous complement to this roster.
Simone Fontecchio or Dean Wade should be less expensive but could bolster San Antonio in a supporting role on the wing.
Adding a defensive-minded presence to the bench is sensible, too. Keon Ellis, Josh Okogie and Javonte Green bring that profile—and if Kenrich Williams shakes loose from OKC because of its rising cap sheet, the Spurs should call.
