The San Antonio Spurs have spent the summer aggressively reshaping their roster, adding the seasoned veteran Tobias Harris and securing two high-upside rookies. On paper, they look like a team ready to reclaim the throne. However, as the 2026-27 season approaches, a glaring reality remains: despite their star-studded depth chart, the Spurs are still one move away from possessing the single best roster in the entire NBA.
The missing link? A reliable, versatile backup center who can provide quality minutes when superstar Victor Wembanyama inevitably needs a breather.
The Problem: Wembanyama’s Burden
Victor Wembanyama has already ascended to the status of the “best player on the planet,” but even a generational talent cannot play 48 minutes a night. Last postseason, the limitations of the Spurs’ rotation were laid bare. Luke Kornet, while a serviceable regular-season body, became a massive liability when the lights turned brightest. In the final two rounds of the playoffs, the Spurs were outscored by a staggering 60 points during Kornet’s 114 minutes on the floor.
Because the coaching staff couldn’t trust him to compete against elite opposition, the burden fell entirely on Wembanyama, who was forced to carry the team until he was visibly worn down by the NBA Finals. If the Spurs had managed to win even a fraction of those non-Wemby minutes against the league’s heavyweights, the championship trophy might be sitting in San Antonio right now.
Why the Rookies Aren’t the Answer
Some might point to the Spurs’ recent draft picks, Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr., as potential solutions. But in a championship-or-bust window, relying on rookies to anchor playoff minutes is a dangerous gamble. Quaintance is still navigating a recovery from knee surgery, and Reed Jr. has yet to prove he can handle the speed of the professional game. To expect either to provide high-level production in the conference finals is simply unrealistic for a team with title aspirations.
The Blueprint: Finding the “Change-of-Pace” Big
What San Antonio needs isn’t just another body; they need a specific archetype. They are searching for their own version of an Al Horford, a Mitchell Robinson, or a Jaylin Williams—a veteran who acts as a tactical “counterpunch” to their starting lineup.
The Spurs are currently built for speed and skill, boasting perhaps the league’s most exciting backcourt in De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. Adding a versatile, switchable big man who can stretch the floor on offense and guard multiple positions on defense would make this team nearly impossible to scheme against. They don’t need a bruising liability; they need a hybrid four/five who can maintain the team’s identity when Wembanyama sits.
The Cost of Excellence
With an open roster spot and a war chest of draft capital, the Spurs have all the leverage they need to make a move. While the front office has historically been hesitant to part with future picks, this is the final piece of the championship equation. Bringing in an impact backup big would immediately cement the Spurs as the favorites to topple the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks.
The Spurs are currently operating at a level where they have elite two-way talent at every single position—except for the vital backup center spot. It is the only “glitch” in an otherwise perfect system. If they make this trade, they won’t just be a contender; they will be the team to beat in the NBA. San Antonio is this close to creating a dynasty, and the league should be terrified.
Spurs Fans: Is a backup center really the only thing standing between us and an NBA title? Should we trade our future draft picks to go all-in this season, or should we trust the development of our young core? Let us know your thoughts below!
