San Antonio opened its three-game preseason set with two losses before beating Phoenix 123-103 behind a four-guard lineup built around Victor Wembanyama. The alignment has drawn praise from The Athletic and a spacing warning from Air Alamo, and it will define how far last season's Finals runner-up can push this season.
What is Mitch Johnson actually testing?
The Spurs started Fox, Harper, Castle and Vassell together against Phoenix on October 14, with Wembanyama as the only true big. ESPN's Michael C. Wright and The Athletic called it a three-guard lineup; Air Alamo described the same group as a four-guard starting five. Either way, Johnson is testing whether extra ball-handling can outrun a lack of size.
Does the lineup have enough size to hold up?
Air Alamo's Jahlil Williams raised the obvious concern: a four-guard five has to shoot its way out of a packed paint with only Wembanyama protecting the rim. Luke Kornet and Tarris Reed Jr. are the fallback bigs, and Air Alamo has already floated pairing them against size like Oklahoma City's Aday Mara.
Is there early evidence it works?
Against Phoenix, Castle scored 18 points on 14-of-15 free throws and finished plus-24; Fox was plus-13 and Vassell plus-19. Paul Garcia noted the starters outscored the Suns 17-6 to close the first half. San Antonio had lost its first two preseason games before that night, so the sample is thin but the plus-minus is real.
Why is the payroll locked into this bet on guards?
Fox carries a $49.8 million salary and Vassell $27.0 million, with Harper still on his rookie deal; San Antonio sits at $198.3 million, over the cap and $2.1 million under the tax. That money is already committed to a backcourt-heavy roster, which is why Johnson is testing the four-guard look now, in October, rather than abandoning it under pressure in April.
What changes once Champagnie and Kornet are back?
Champagnie and Kornet are both resting, with an estimated return of October 16, against Sacramento. Champagnie shot 38.1 percent from three last season and gives Johnson a two-big or wing option; his and Kornet's health will decide whether the four-guard five stays the base lineup or becomes a matchup-specific wrinkle.
Did the Spurs start four guards against the Suns?
Yes. Fox, Harper, Castle and Vassell started together on October 14, with Wembanyama as the only big, in a 123-103 preseason win.
Who protects the rim if the Spurs play four guards?
Wembanyama is the only big in that lineup; Kornet and Tarris Reed Jr. are the size options off the bench once they are available.
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