Spurs Commit to Unconventional Three-Guard Starting Five for 2026-27 Season

Key points

• Mitch Johnson confirmed De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama will start the regular season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• The lineup features three guards (Fox, Harper, Castle) and one wing (Vassell), with Wembanyama serving as the only traditional big man.
• Julian Champagnie and Tobias Harris, both established starters or key free-agent additions, will be relegated to the bench to accommodate the young core.
• Preseason results were mixed; the Spurs outscored the Kings 71-37 in the first half but struggled with scoring efficiency in other games, with the trio logging only 11 minutes together in one game.
• Wembanyama expressed support for the lineup, stating that having multiple handlers around him makes his role easier, while Fox noted the group has played together in playoff scenarios previously.

Background

The Spurs are widely regarded as the top favorite for the 2026-27 NBA championship, according to the annual GM Survey, with Wembanyama leading polls for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. The team's previous success in the 2025-26 season, which included a Finals appearance, was driven by a lineup featuring Julian Champagnie as a starter. The current decision to bench Champagnie and Harris marks a significant strategic shift from the previous season's formula of two ball-handlers, two shooters, and one unicorn. This move follows a broader trend in the NBA toward positionless basketball, though the Spurs' approach is considered the most extreme to date.

How outlets are covering it

Air Alamo argues that the lineup is a genius move that forces opponents to defend every plausible action from all five players, leveraging Wembanyama's unique skills to create a defensive nightmare. The outlet emphasizes that the Spurs are prioritizing speed and pressure, with Johnson's coaching philosophy focused on swarming and forcing bad shots. Bleacher Report highlights Wembanyama's endorsement of the lineup, noting that it simplifies his role by providing multiple pick-and-roll options. However, the outlet also raises concerns about the lack of size, with Castle being the tallest of the three guards at 6'6", and notes that Harper's camp may push for a starting role if the experiment fails. CBS Sports offers a more skeptical view, pointing out that the trio's combined regular-season minutes last year were minimal and that they struggled when playing together. The outlet argues that the three guards are strong creators but weak shooters, which could cramp the floor for each other. CBS also notes that the Spurs' previous success was tied to Champagnie's inclusion, suggesting that the current lineup may be a liability if it does not improve quickly.

Why it matters

The Spurs' decision to start three guards represents a significant departure from traditional NBA lineup construction, potentially influencing how other teams approach roster management and defensive strategies. If successful, it could validate a new era of positionless basketball where ball-handling and defensive pressure outweigh size and shooting. Conversely, if the lineup fails, it could signal a return to more conventional approaches, impacting the careers of players like Harper and the future of the Spurs' core. The move also highlights the tension between coaching philosophy and player development, as Johnson prioritizes the current vision over the established roles of veterans like Champagnie and Harris.

What to watch

The Spurs will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the regular season opener, providing the first real test of the lineup against a competitive opponent. Analysts will closely monitor the team's performance in the first month to determine if the experiment is viable or if Johnson will need to adjust the rotation. Harper's camp may push for a starting role if the lineup does not produce results, potentially leading to a change in the rotation. The Spurs' performance in the early season will also influence their standing in the power rankings and their trajectory toward the playoffs.