Around the Beat: Camp Churn, a Frontcourt Bet and Keldon's…

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Friday, September 25

San Antonio's beat writers spent the week on camp roster moves, a proposed frontcourt pairing for Wembanyama, and a scoring dip from Keldon Johnson. Each storyline holds up differently once checked against the club's own roster and stat sheet.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What's the latest word on San Antonio's camp roster churn?

KENS 5's Jeff Garcia and Hoops Rumors both tracked the moves as they landed: Jon Elmore and Malik Williams signed, Miles Barnstable was let go. The Spot Up Shot's Paul Garcia detailed the same swap and pegged the group at eighteen players. Hoops Rumors also reported a deal with RJ Davis, but that name isn't yet reflected in San Antonio's listed group, so treat it as developing.

Are Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr. the frontcourt answer next to Wembanyama?

Air Alamo's Ty Small argued the pairing gives Wembanyama the interior partner he needs. San Antonio's own injury report complicates the timeline: Quaintance remains unavailable, with a return not expected until December. Reed can pair with Wembanyama now; the full frontcourt Small described is still a projection, not this fall's reality.

Should Julian Champagnie start over Tobias Harris?

Air Alamo's Maxwell Ogden made the case for Champagnie despite Harris' track record. Last season's numbers back only part of it: Harris averaged more points in almost identical minutes, while Champagnie played all 82 games to Harris' 63. Durability favors Champagnie; scoring output still favors Harris. The competition looks genuinely open.

What's the Keldon Johnson conundrum Pounding The Rock keeps raising?

Pounding The Rock's Jeje Gomez framed Johnson's fit as an open question. Last season's late-year numbers support the framing: Johnson's true shooting fell to 45.8 percent over his final ten games, thirteen-plus points below his season mark. That drop, not just his role, is the real substance behind the question.

Does Victor Wembanyama deserve a higher spot in preseason rankings?

Jeff Garcia's KENS 5 podcast raised the question after ESPN's rankings landed. Last season's line makes the frustration understandable: 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds a game across 64 outings, the best per-game rebounding figure among San Antonio's regulars. The debate is about order on a list, not production; the raw numbers back Wembanyama's case.

The verdictThe camp moves are confirmed; the frontcourt pairing and the Harris-Champagnie battle remain projections until games are played. Johnson's late-season fade and Wembanyama's case for higher rankings are both backed by last season's numbers.

Has San Antonio signed RJ Davis?

Hoops Rumors reported the signing, but the move isn't yet reflected in San Antonio's own listed camp group, so it remains unconfirmed on this end.

Is Jayden Quaintance available to play alongside Wembanyama right now?

No. He remains sidelined, with a return not expected until December.