Spurs Confirm Three-Guard Starters Ahead of Season Opener

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 17

The Spurs waived guard Kendall Brown on October 17, two days after signing him, trimming the roster back down ahead of the season. ESPN's Michael C. Wright and RealGM both reported that San Antonio will open October 20 against the Thunder with a three-guard starting lineup of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

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What happened with Kendall Brown?

The Spurs waived Kendall Brown on October 17, the same type of move that sent Jon Elmore off the roster a day earlier. Brown had joined the team on October 15, so his stay lasted two days. Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot reported the roster now sits at 14 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals.

Who starts for the Spurs against the Thunder?

ESPN's Michael C. Wright and RealGM both reported that Mitch Johnson will start De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper together, a three-guard look for the October 20 opener. Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama round out the group, the same five that closed out the preseason finale against Sacramento.

Is Tobias Harris healthy for the opener?

Harris, sidelined by a left calf issue, is targeting a comeback for the October 20 game against Oklahoma City. Quaintance, out with a right knee injury, is not expected back until December 1. Neither change affects Johnson's three-guard starting five, which leaves both forwards off the first unit.

What does the payroll look like entering the season?

San Antonio's payroll stands at $198.3M, over the salary cap and under the $200.4M luxury-tax line. Fox's $49.8M leads the books, followed by Vassell at $27.0M, Keldon Johnson at $17.5M and Wembanyama at $16.9M. The Spurs still owe their 2027 first-round pick to Sacramento among their traded draft assets.

What's the one number to watch heading into October 20?

San Antonio finished the preseason 2-1, with Harper's 19 points and a plus-33 night from Fox marking the Kings rout as the sharpest performance of camp. The real test starts when games count, against a Thunder team the Spurs eliminated in seven games last season.

The verdictThe roster is set and the lineup is set; what's left is how a three-guard unit holds up against the team San Antonio beat in seven games to reach last season's Finals.

Who will start for the Spurs on opening night?

De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, alongside Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama, per ESPN and RealGM reporting on October 17.

Is Kendall Brown still on the Spurs?

No. San Antonio waived Brown on October 17, two days after he signed, leaving the roster at 14 standard contracts and three two-way deals.

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.