New NBA Rumors on Wemby, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie's Contracts After Spurs' Finals Run

The San Antonio Spurs could shore up their young core long term on the heels of their NBA Finals appearance, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Windhorst reported Monday on SportsCenter that star Victor Wembanyama is assured of getting a massive extension a year ahead of his restricted free agency in 2027. He can sign for $251 million over five years, with the opportunity to earn more based on triggering certain incentives.

Windhorst noted that Devin Vassell is extension-eligible starting this summer, while San Antonio could give Julian Champagnie a multiyear deal instead of picking up his $3 million club option. Committing more money to Champagnie would be worth it to gain more team control.

The NBA and league owners were clearly looking to curb some of the highest spenders by introducing the restrictive first and second aprons of the luxury tax.

The Spurs are a prime example of how the current collective bargaining agreement is just as punitive for teams that build a contender more organically.

San Antonio overachieved by winning the Western Conference in Wembanyama's third season, yet some are already questioning how long the franchise can keep the band together.

De'Aaron Fox's four-year, $221.8 million extension goes into effect with the 2026-27 season. Wembanyama is looking at a massive raise in 2027. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are in line to follow in 2028 and 2029 respectively.

Even if ownership is willing to fund the NBA's most expensive payroll, the consequences of being a second-apron team might force the front office's hand.

The Spurs aren't in a marquee market, and history indicates that Wembanyama's presence won't help their odds of landing big free agents if that avenue is ever available. That puts a premium on retaining internal talent.

San Antonio has an obvious incentive in tying down Champagnie, Vassell, Harper and Castle before they ever hit the market. The risk is that it can wind up in a bind like it has with Fox, where his deal is looking like a huge overpay after the playoffs he just had.

In a previous era, you could project multiple years down the road and foresee the Spurs sticking around as a contender. That's no longer true when the tax aprons can lead a team to trade away a key player or let them walk in the name of cap savings.