The future is bright in San Antonio and fans are eager to see what the 2024-25 season has in store for them. However, some players might not be so thrilled, instead they might be worried about losing their role in the team.
With the Spurs roster looking increasingly deep after two recent signings, some current players are in the hot seat. Coach Gregg Popovich is a wizard at putting the right players in the right positions to succeed. However, if he doesn’t see much potential in a certain player, he won’t give them playing time and will eventually force them out of San Antonio.
Let’s dive in and highlight three players who are at risk of losing playing time and can’t afford to drop points this season.
Julian Champagnie is an unorthodox basketball player. He knows how to create his shot, he uses his long arms to defend well and, at times, Champagnie can excel attacking the basket. The former St. Johns star also has a good shot.
Champagnie made his debut on the scene in 2022 after a remarkable stint in summer league. He continued his momentum the following summer. Champagnie played well enough to sign a four-year, $12 million contract and earn a roster spot on the team last season. After moving into a regular backup role, Champagnie averaged 7 points per game while shooting 39 percent from the field and 87 percent from the free throw line.
In terms of numbers, Champagnie could be an interesting option for the Spurs, but since the Spurs have more players on the team, it hurts Champagnie’s chances of getting playing time. The selection of Harrison Ingram and the recent signing of Brandon Boston Jr. (roster spot TBD) also prove that Champagnie has his back against the wall. All three players will be battling for the backup winger spot role behind Devin Vasselbut Ingram and Boston Jr are much better athletically, which gives them the advantage.
Champagnie, if he gets playing time, needs to stand out from the rest coming off the bench. Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins are likely the top two bench options going forward; however, Champagnie’s consistency could push him into a bigger role. As a result, while surprising, Champagnie has one of the toughest hurdles to clear of the entire team.
