The San Antonio Spurs are heading into the 2026-27 NBA season with expectations unlike anything they have faced in recent years.

After an extraordinary campaign that saw one of the youngest teams in the league go all the way to the NBA Finals, simply repeating last season’s success will not be enough. The Spurs have their sights set higher, and several major changes have taken place behind the scenes and across the roster.

At first glance, San Antonio still looks familiar.

Victor Wembanyama remains the centerpiece. De’Aaron Fox is still expected to play a major role. Several important contributors have returned.

But look a little closer and it becomes clear that this is a significantly different Spurs team.

From the coaching staff to the frontcourt, the supporting cast and even how fans will watch the team, San Antonio has undergone a fascinating offseason transformation.

A major change on the coaching staff

One of the biggest departures came away from the court.

Sean Sweeney, who played a significant role in building San Antonio’s impressive defense last season, is no longer part of Mitch Johnson’s staff. Sweeney has taken the next step in his coaching career after being appointed head coach of the Orlando Magic.

Replacing him is a familiar name to longtime NBA followers: Billy Donovan.

Donovan arrives in San Antonio after spending six seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Before that, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he coached stars such as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

His arrival gives the Spurs another experienced basketball mind and potentially adds a different dimension to their offensive approach.

For a young team attempting to move from surprise contender to genuine championship threat, that experience could prove extremely valuable.

San Antonio completely rebuilt its frontcourt

The Spurs also made significant changes among their big men.

Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee are no longer part of the group, creating room for a new-look frontcourt.

San Antonio responded by adding Tobias Harris alongside Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr.

Harris brings considerable NBA experience and the ability to solve problems in multiple areas of the floor. Meanwhile, Quaintance and Reed give the Spurs two younger, physical options who can provide size and toughness.

That could be particularly important for a team built around Wembanyama.

The Spurs do not necessarily need another player to dominate offensively. They need players capable of protecting the paint, battling physically and giving Wembanyama greater freedom to influence games.

De’Aaron Fox could be the biggest difference of all

Perhaps the most exciting development for Spurs fans has nothing to do with a new signing.

It is the fact that De’Aaron Fox finally enters an offseason healthy enough to prepare properly.

Last summer, Fox was unable to participate in a normal offseason program because of his health situation. This time around, he has had the opportunity to train properly and enter the new campaign in much better condition.

That could have enormous consequences.

Fox already possesses elite speed, scoring ability and playmaking instincts. If he is able to start the season fully healthy, San Antonio could get a version of the guard that fans have not yet seen consistently alongside Wembanyama.

And that is a frightening prospect for the rest of the Western Conference.

Wembanyama is taking the Spurs into the spotlight

The league’s growing belief in San Antonio is also reflected by the team’s television schedule.

Wembanyama has quickly become one of the NBA’s biggest attractions, and the Spurs will receive 34 nationally televised games during the upcoming season—the maximum allowed for a single team.

Five additional games will be shown on NBA TV.

That level of exposure tells its own story.

The Spurs are no longer simply a rebuilding franchise with an exciting young superstar. They are becoming one of the league’s biggest draws.

Fans will also have different options for watching local games, with DAZN set to carry most games that are not broadcast nationally across the major networks and streaming platforms. Twenty-two games will remain available on local over-the-air television.

New jerseys, new destinations and a different schedule

There are changes beyond the roster too.

September 15 is the date scheduled for the league-wide unveiling of the new City Edition jerseys. With San Antonio approaching the tenth anniversary of the program, fans will be watching closely to see whether the Spurs continue incorporating their popular Fiesta-inspired identity.

The schedule itself also contains some interesting twists.

San Antonio will play three regular-season games in Austin at the Moody Center, including an October 23 meeting with the Houston Rockets.

The Spurs will also travel internationally during the season, with games scheduled in Paris and Manchester against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The real question is how far this Spurs team can go

There is no question that San Antonio looks different heading into 2026-27.

The coaching staff has changed. The frontcourt has been rebuilt. Several important players have returned. Wembanyama has secured his long-term future, while Fox enters the season with the benefit of a proper offseason.

And perhaps most importantly, the Spurs are no longer sneaking up on anyone.

Last season proved that this young group is capable of competing at the highest level. Now the challenge is completely different.

Opponents will be prepared.

Expectations will be higher.

Every weakness will be targeted.

But if Fox stays healthy, Wembanyama takes another leap and the new additions fit as planned, San Antonio could have everything required to make another serious run at the NBA’s biggest prize.

The Spurs may have changed considerably over the summer.

The scary part for the rest of the league is that they could be even better because of it.