The ambition of the pearl of the San Antonio Spurs: "Now we have to do it"
The Texas franchise surprised everyone by reaching the Finals with a Dylan Harper who wants more after shining in his first season.
The San Antonio Spurs reached the 2026 NBA Finals with one of the youngest cores in the league and ended up losing to the New York Knicks. However, the season left a certainty for the franchise: the partnership formed by Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Victor Wembanyama could be the foundation of a new competitive cycle.
The loss in the championship series was particularly tough. San Antonio squandered a 29-point lead in the fourth game, which ended with a tip-in by OG Anunoby. Despite that, Castle and Harper believe the experience allowed them to understand firsthand what it takes to compete for a championship.
“I think now we understand what it takes to get there. Now we have to do it,” Harper said in an interview with GQ. He added, looking ahead: “Hopefully, there will be five Finals.”
Castle and Harper accelerated the reconstruction of San Antonio
The arrival of Harper, 20, completed a core that already included Wembanyama, 22, and Castle, 21. The Spurs came off a season with a losing record, but they were able to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning champions led by two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, before reaching the Finals.
NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry, former Vice President of Strategic Research for San Antonio, believes the potential of this trio explains much of the optimism surrounding the franchise.
“To win the championship, you need multiple players who will go to the Hall of Fame. And it seems the Spurs have three,” Goldsberry stated.
Wembanyama draws a lot of attention for his impact on both ends of the floor, but the growth of his perimeter teammates has broadened the team's possibilities. Castle came as the fourth pick in the 2024 Draft after winning the college championship with Connecticut. Harper joined a year later and also has the background of being the son of Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion.
The relationship between the two began with some competition during practices. Castle recalls that in one of Harper's first practices, he dunked on him twice near the basket. The rookie still questions the validity of one of those plays, which occurred after an offensive rebound.
The internal rivalry turned into a complementary duo
Mitch Johnson acknowledged that the team could foster a rivalry between two young guards with similar aspirations. However, the coach explained that the relationship ultimately evolved in a different direction.
“It was never ‘we are better with one than the other’. It was always them together,” Johnson told GQ.
The connection was also solidified off the court. The players share activities during trips, celebrate birthdays, and participate in board games chosen by Wembanyama. Castle explained that the Frenchman often suggests unusual options for large groups, like Werewolf, a deduction and deception game.
“Being friends off the court makes you better,” Castle said. Harper agreed with his teammate and recalled the cohesion of the Knicks’ locker room: “We lost to four best friends.”
Chemistry becomes especially important in an NBA that has seen some projects formed by young talents fail to stay in the championship hunt. The Orlando Magic of Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway did not return to the Finals after losing them in 1995. The Oklahoma City Thunder of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden also did not return to that instance after 2012.
Castle believes that camaraderie can make a difference in San Antonio. “We have no egos. They had strong egos in that locker room,” he said when comparing the Spurs to that Thunder team.
The perimeter roles are already generating questions
The depth of San Antonio in the perimeter positions raises doubts about the composition of the starting five. De'Aaron Fox, a veteran with nine NBA seasons, has taken on a guiding role for Castle and Harper, although the growth of both could end up affecting his place among the starters.
“I’m not worried at all. It’s not a decision I make. I go, control what I can control, and try to help put the team in the best position to win,” Fox explained.
Harper initially joked about the possibility of winning the Sixth Man of the Year award, but later made it clear that he doesn’t naturally see himself in that role.
“I’m going to do what the team needs,” he started before correcting himself candidly: “I’m not coming off the bench.”
Johnson, for his part, avoided making any predictions about next season’s lineup. “I can’t envision anyone yet in the starting five,” he responded. However, he assured that Harper and Castle will have “very big roles.”
The loss to the Knicks, a lesson for the future
The outcome of the Finals is still present for the two young players. Harper rewatched the video of Anunoby's tip-in in the fourth game and laughed as he recalled his reaction under the basket. Castle, on the other hand, preferred not to watch it again. “I don’t watch those things,” he explained.
The Knicks’ comeback also had a special setting, as it was the first Finals game played at Madison Square Garden in 27 years. Harper recalled the atmosphere experienced in New York: “It’s the loudest arena I’ve ever heard in my life.”
The guard needed several weeks to regain physical normalcy after a postseason that extended until mid-June. He then resumed training with the intention of turning the loss into a boost for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to the next five years, Harper set a clear goal: “Hopefully, there will be five Finals.” Castle completed his teammate's message with a direct statement: “We’re coming back.”
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