Last week, we recapped how Leon Rose and the New York Knicks built a championship roster — “4 Things Knicks: From Punchline to Eastern Conference Champs” — now, we look at how the San Antonio Spurs returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning their fifth ring in 2014.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
The Knicks and Spurs went on divergent paths after their 1999 NBA Finals showdown. The Knicks became a cautionary tale for meddling ownership and quick fixes, while the Spurs became a model franchise.
Thanks to a timely lottery win in 1997 securing Tim Duncan and the stability provided by one of the NBA’s most respected coaches Gregg Popovich, the Spurs won NBA Titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.
As a matter of fact, from their ABA inception in 1967-68 through the 2018-19 season, the Spurs made the playoffs 47 of their first 52 years. That’s when their luck seemingly ran out as they lost legends to retirement (David Robinson, Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker) and defections (Kawhi Leonard).
Even the great Popovich couldn’t turn things around as he won 32, 33, and 34 games before bottoming out in 2022-23 with a franchise worst 22-60 record. However, that low point in Spurs history came at a very fortuitous time. For the third time they won the lottery when a franchise center was available:
- 1987 — David Robinson
- 1997 — Tim Duncan
- 2023 — Victor Wembanyama
The Knicks turnaround started with one crafty free agent signing and multiple trades. The Spurs have done it via the draft and some fortunate ping-pong ball bounces.
The 1999 NBA Finals rematch, 27 years in the making, tips off Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30p in San Antonio (ABC-TV).
SPURS TRADE ACQUISITIONS (4)
F Harrison Barnes (7-8-24) —acquired from the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade with the Kings and the Chicago Bulls. Spurs received Barnes and the right to swap first round picks with the Kings in 2031 in exchange for facilitating the Kings sign-and-trade for DeMar DeRozan.
G De’Aaron Fox (2-3-25) — acquired from the Sacramento Kings with Jordan McLaughlin (see below) in a three-team trade with the Kings and Chicago Bulls. Spurs sent Sidy Cissoko and their 2027 first-round draft pick to the Kings, and sent Zach Collins and Tre Jones to the Bulls, along with returning Chicago’s 2025 first-round pick.
G Jordan McLaughlin (2-3-25) — acquired from the Sacramento Kings with De’Aaron Fox in a three-team trade with the Kings and Chicago Bulls (see details above).
F/C Kelly Olynyk (7-8-25) — acquired from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a 2026 second-round pick.
SPURS DRAFT PICKS (7)
- G/F Keldon Johnson (#29, 2019)
- G Devin Vassell (#11, 2020)
- F/C Victor Wembanyama (#1, 2023)
- G Stephon Castle (#4, 2024)
- F Harrison Ingram (#48, 2024)
- G Dylan Harper (#2, 2025)
- F Carter Bryant (#14, 2025)
SPURS FREE AGENT SIGNINGS (7)
- F Julian Champagnie (signed 2-16-23)
- C/F Luke Kornet (signed 7-7-25)
- G/F David Jones Garcia (signed 7-22-25)
- G/F Lindy Waters III (signed 7-24-25)
- C Bismack Biyombo (signed 9-15-25)
- C Mason Plumlee (signed 2-17-26)
- F Emanuel Miller (signed 2-23-26)