Spurs eye three-guard starting lineup around Victor Wembanyama

Oct. 13, 2026 — The San Antonio Spurs appear ready to open the season with a three-guard look, pairing De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside Victor Wembanyama in the starting group.

It is a notable change for a team that ranked third in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season and reached the Finals, holding big leads even in the games it lost. San Antonio largely ran back the same roster, adding veteran forward Tobias Harris. The appeal of the new setup is an extra decision-maker on the floor after a playoff run in which the Spurs often struggled to close out fourth quarters.

The shooting question

The concern is spacing. Fox and Castle each shot 33% from three last season, and Harper hit 34%. The trio also has a thin, unflattering track record together: San Antonio was outscored by 21 points in 25 regular-season minutes and by 26 points in 44 postseason minutes with all three on the court.

The case for it rests on attacking the paint. Harper and Castle were among the league’s most productive players in playoff points per paint touch, and both rebound well for guards. Fox and Harper also grade out as strong finishers at the rim.

Wemby as the release valve

Wembanyama, back at Frost Center after nearly four months away, is helping make the math work. Through two preseason games he ranks second in above-the-break three-point attempts, per Second Spectrum, pulling defenders out and opening lanes for cutting guards. He has also handled more creation duties, and he has described his ability to stretch the floor as central to how the offense functions.

Fox sat out the last two preseason games against Atlanta and Phoenix with general soreness, so the full trio has yet to start together. Coach Mitch Johnson has kept details close.

Rotation ripple effects

With Harris sidelined by a left calf strain, Devin Vassell looks set to start at power forward, with Harris expected to slide there once healthy. That would move Julian Champagnie — who started 68 regular-season games and all 23 playoff games last season — to the bench, giving the second unit more shooting. Champagnie has said he is fine with whatever role the staff picks.

Whether the experiment sticks will depend on how quickly the guards can make defenses pay from outside, but the Spurs are clearly willing to bet on aggression around their franchise center.