After displacement Harrison Barnes as a starter last season, Spurs forward Julian Champagne was awarded a three-year, $45 million extension at the end of June.
“It meant the world to me“, said Champagne Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. “I am happy that they trust me to do my job.”
According to Orsborn, the 76ers waived Champagne and his two-way contract in February 2023, and the Spurs claimed him a couple of days later. He signed a four-year, $12 million deal in the 2023 offseason after impressing for San Antonio throughout his rookie campaign, and will now make more in 2026-27 than in his first four years combined.
The 25-year-old said he felt indebted to Spurs as they were “the only team that gave me the opportunity I was looking for”.
“Signing this (extension) definitely made me look back and just pat myself on the back and say, “Okay, you did something right and figured it out.”– said Champagne.There is still some way to go, but you are on the right track and the right path.»
Here’s more on Spurs:
- Orsborn points out that Barnes is back for a third season with the Spurs after re-signing a one-year deal worth US$8 million. The 15-year veteran said he was fine with the reduced role he played at the end of the 2025/26 season and wanted to return to San Antonio after spending two seasons with the team. “I genuinely like my teammates and I’ve enjoyed the progress and everything we’ve built in the first couple of years” Barnes said.I’m glad another year is here.”
- It is still unclear what the starting line-up will look like this season, p De’Aaron Fox, Castle Stefan and Dylan Harper presumably vying for two backcourt spots and a rookie Tobias Harris possibly pushing Devin Vassell or champagne ahead. Head coach Mitch Johnson said the three guards will play together more often in the 2026/27 season regardless of who starts, for Jeff McDonald of The Express-Newsand all players publicly said the right things about a potentially difficult situation, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “Let me say yes. My job is simple: play basketball, do the right things the right way” said Vassell.I don’t know what the lineups look like. I’ll let it be with Mitch. But I think it’s a big problem when we have so many guys who can start, who can play big minutes, who can play big games, who have experience.”
- Johnson was delighted Billy Donovan agreed to join his staff as the team’s new top assistant Orsborn. “He’s an amazing person, great personality, fits in perfectly” Johnson said.He has a lot of experience and is very hardworking. He doesn’t kick his feet or tell stories. He rolls up his sleeves and gets his hands dirty. So it’s a great honor and a joy to have him here.”
- Forward Carter Bryant said he wants to master his 3-D role in his second season as Paul Garcia of Spot Up Shot writes (subscriber link). “For me personally, the defense is just getting better“, Bryant said.”I want to … be able to guard multiple positions, tackle shots at the rim, be a rim protector at the wing position. Be able to take the full court, rotate guards. Just making life difficult for someone. And then just on offense, keep throwing the ball. Throwing the ball with a little more speed, a little more pace, a little more confidence, and then just playing out of bounds. That’s all. Nothing too difficult, nothing too difficult. Staying balanced, being strong with the ball coming in and scoring better. Just trying to make it as simple as possible. I don’t have to do too much in this role and in this team, so I’m just trying to take it one day at a time.”
