Ranking 3 San Antonio Spurs With the Most to Prove in 2025-26

Ranking 3 San Antonio Spurs With the Most to Prove in 2025-26 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

As the San Antonio Spurs prepare for the 2025-26 NBA season, fans have some expectations that this season will finally be the time that the franchise puts its foot on the gas and wins games, getting Victor Wembanyama into the playoffs.

Of course, the Western Conference is as loaded as ever, and even though the Spurs plan on winning games and making a playoff push, their young core is still far from set in stone.

With Devin Vassell, De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Carter Bryant all under contract or still fresh enough that some growing pains can be expected, these three players will have the most to prove moving forward.

3. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is 33 years old and is on the last season of his contract, although it's safe to say that someone will offer him a contract next season. After all, he is a capable defender who shoots the ball well and can be a high-level bench player or solid starter.

Last season, his first with the Spurs, he averaged 12.3 points and shot 43.3 percent from deep, a career-best. He doesn't really fit the long-term timeline in San Antonio, although if he can remain a steady floor-spacer, it's easy to imagine the Spurs signing him to a two or three-year deal to keep him in town through his prime.

Of course, if he plays too well, then the Spurs might flip him at the trade deadline while his value is highest, although as the team tries to win games and get Wembanyama as close to the Finals as possible, Barnes is in a position to play some of the best basketball of his long career.

2. Jeremy Sochan

Jeremy Sochan is about to start the final season of his rookie contract, and one big question needs to be answered: Is he a key part of the Spurs' young core?

Some fans would give a quick "yes," others would be fast to say "absolutely not," and you'd be hard-pressed to find any fans who haven't made up their mind.

To start last season, he was the best defender on the roster (aside from Wembanyama, of course) and looked like a high-level offensive player, sort of similar to a poor man's Jalen Williams. However, injuries and a changing role caught up to him, and he returned to Earth, ending the season more as a rebounder and defensive specialist than anything.

With restricted free agency coming up next summer, this should be a make-or-break season for Sochan. The fanbase seems to have made up its mind already, and now the team needs to see enough to follow suit.

1. Keldon Johnson

Four years ago, Johnson averaged 17.2 points and shot 39.8% from 3-point range and looked the part of a franchise player in the making. Since then, he has cemented himself as a somewhat reliable bench scorer and energy guy, although his shooting numbers have never gotten close to his 2021-22 mark.

Johnson has two seasons left on his $74 million contract, and it's hard to imagine the Spurs ponying up for much more than that on his next deal. Yes, he brings some intangibles that are impossible to measure to the team and seems to be a locker-room favorite, but do players like that warrant $20 million a season?

Johnson and his salary have been subject to trade speculation for the past two seasons. Don't expect this year to be any different, although with the clock ticking, he needs to establish a role for himself on this team, and fast, otherwise he might need to start from scratch elsewhere.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.