By the Numbers: Five Figures That Define This Spurs Team

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 17

San Antonio's preseason ended 2-1, with Thursday's opener now the only number that will count. Behind it sits last season's 62-20 record, a payroll built up to the tax line, and a three-guard lineup getting its first real test.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

How lopsided was the preseason finale?

San Antonio closed the preseason with a 126-97 win over the Kings, built on a 42-18 first quarter, and finished its three preseason games 2-1. Dylan Harper led with 19 points and De'Aaron Fox added 16, with five Spurs finishing plus-20 or better. It means the top units are clicking in exhibition minutes. It doesn't mean much against a Kings team that trailed by 24 before the first quarter even ended.

What's behind the $198.3M number?

San Antonio carries $198.3M in payroll across 15 contracts, above the cap and $2.1M shy of the $200.4M luxury-tax line. Fox's $49.8M leads the books, followed by Vassell at $27.0M and Keldon Johnson at $17.5M. It means the front office built around its core without crossing into tax territory. It doesn't mean there's much room left to add anyone without moving money first.

Why does the opening lineup have three guards?

Mitch Johnson is opening the season with Fox, Castle and Harper alongside Vassell and Wembanyama, a backcourt-heavy group confirmed ahead of Thursday's game. It means the staff is betting on ball skill and switching over size at the four. It doesn't prove the group can hold up on the boards against a bigger front line like Oklahoma City's.

How good was last season's number, really?

Last season San Antonio went 62-20 with a net rating of plus-8.4, third in the league in both offense and defense, good enough for a trip to the NBA Finals. It means the roster returns from a genuine contender season. It doesn't mean any of that carries over — the record resets to 0-0 and nothing this season has been played yet.

What has Wembanyama already proven, by the numbers?

Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds last season across 64 games, ranking among the league's top rim protectors. It means his two-way production is now an established baseline, not a projection. It doesn't say how a full, healthy season or Thursday's opener will look.

The verdictThe individual numbers point the same direction — contender-level production, a payroll built to match it, and a lineup bet that hasn't been tested yet. Preseason scores are noise; Thursday is the first number that counts.

What is the Spurs' payroll for 2026-27?

San Antonio carries $198.3M in payroll across 15 contracts, $2.1M under the luxury tax line of $200.4M.

Who is starting at guard for the Spurs this season?

Mitch Johnson is opening the season with De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle alongside Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama.

By the Spurs Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.