The NBA should be worried: The Spurs’ young core is years away from its prime
Everything begins with Wembanyama, who has established himself as one of the league's most dominant two-way players
T he San Antonio Spurs entered last season hoping to take another step forward. Instead, they accelerated their timeline in dramatic fashion. A team that won 34 games in 2024-25 exploded for 62 victories, reached the NBA Finals and established itself as one of the league’s premier young contenders.
While the Spurs ultimately fell short of a championship, the bigger picture should leave the organization feeling optimistic heading into the 2026-27 campaign. The reason is remarkably simple: their most important players are still incredibly young.
Victor Wembanyama is just 22 years old. Stephon Castle is 21. Dylan Harper is 20. Most franchises would be thrilled to have one cornerstone player at that age. The Spurs have three. That reality changes the way San Antonio should view both its present and its future.
It all starts with Victor Wembanyama
Everything begins with Wembanyama , who has already established himself as one of the NBA’s most dominant two-way players. The 7-foot-3 star averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and a league-leading 3.8 blocks during the 2024-25 season before the franchise built a Finals contender around him. His combination of rim protection, shooting ability and playmaking remains unlike anything the league has seen in years.
The remarkable part is that Wembanyama is still years away from the age when most superstars reach their peak. History suggests elite big men often enter their best seasons in their mid-to-late twenties. If that pattern holds true, the Spurs may not have seen the best version of Wembanyama yet.
Castle and Harper only strengthen that outlook. Castle , the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year, quickly developed into the ideal backcourt complement for Wembanyama . His versatility, defense and ability to impact games in multiple ways helped transform San Antonio from an intriguing young team into a legitimate contender. The former UConn star already looks comfortable in high-pressure situations despite being just 21 years old.
Then there is Harper, whose rookie season provided a glimpse of what the Spurs could become over the next several years. During the Western Conference Finals, Harper delivered performances that belied his age. In one memorable victory against Oklahoma City , the 20-year-old posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals while stepping into a larger role. His playoff poise reinforced why San Antonio viewed him as too talented to pass up with the No. 2 overall pick.
The Spurs are no longer the league's up-and-coming surprise. After winning 62 games and reaching the NBA Finals , they will enter the season with a target on their backs. Every opponent will treat a matchup against San Antonio as a measuring-stick game, and the margin for error will be much smaller than it was a year ago.
There are also basketball questions that still need answers. Dylan Harper is immensely talented, but integrating a 20-year-old guard into a roster with championship aspirations is rarely a seamless process. The Spurs must continue balancing his development with the urgency of competing for a title.
The backcourt rotation remains another storyline to watch. De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Harper all deserve significant on-ball opportunities, and managing those responsibilities will be one of the biggest challenges facing head coach Mitch Johnson. Finding the right balance could determine whether San Antonio's offense reaches another level.
Health will be equally important. Wembanyama has already experienced injury and health setbacks early in his career, making his availability one of the franchise's most important variables. The Spurs have improved their depth, but no contender can fully replace a player of his caliber. And while youth is a tremendous advantage, it can also create growing pains. Championship teams often learn difficult lessons before breaking through.
