By the Numbers: What Last Season Still Tells Us About the…

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Sunday, September 27

San Antonio has not played a 2026-27 game yet, so last season's numbers remain the clearest read on this roster. A 62-20 finish, a payroll close to the luxury tax threshold, and De'Aaron Fox's late-season shooting drop all carry weight into training camp.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

How good was last season's team, by the numbers?

San Antonio finished 62-20, the best record of this era, with a net rating of +8.4, second-best league-wide. That record reflects a team that was efficient on both ends last season. It does not carry into 2026-27: the record resets to 0-0, and health, depth and the rookie class are all untested.

What does Wembanyama's bench scoring say about his role?

Victor Wembanyama scored 20 or more points in four of his last five appearances off the bench last season. That shows he can produce efficiently regardless of how Mitch Johnson uses him. It does not confirm that role returns in 2026-27, or that it would look the same across a full season.

How worried should fans be about De'Aaron Fox's shooting?

Fox's true shooting dropped 13.3 points across his final 10 games last season, down to 42.7 percent. That is a real late-season efficiency slide for the team's lead guard. It does not explain why it happened, and it is now a season removed from any 2026-27 game.

Where does the payroll leave the front office for moves?

San Antonio carries a $198.3 million payroll against a $200.4 million luxury tax threshold, over the cap and under the tax. That leaves some room to maneuver without tax penalties. It does not mean cheap, easy additions, since the top five contracts, led by Fox's $49.8 million, are already locked in.

What does the draft capital picture look like ahead?

San Antonio owes its 2027 first-round selection to Sacramento but holds swap rights in 2027, 2028 and 2030 and keeps every other pick through 2030. That is a full complement of future assets, not a stripped cupboard. It does not guarantee good outcomes, since Sacramento controls which side of that 2027 swap San Antonio gets.

The verdictLast season's record and net rating say this roster is built to contend; the payroll math says the front office has some room but not much. Fox's late-season shooting drop is the one number worth tracking once games start.

Have the Spurs played a game yet in 2026-27?

No. San Antonio is 0-0, with the preseason opening October 8 against Atlanta and the regular season starting October 20 against Oklahoma City.

Is Victor Wembanyama's bench scoring role permanent?

Nothing reported ties last season's bench appearances to how Mitch Johnson will use him in 2026-27; last season's four 20-point games off the bench are the only sample so far.