The Spurs made a smart move by holding onto Julian Champagnie during their roster revamp, a decision that could pay off significantly.
Initially, it seemed like the Spurs would need to waive wing Julian Champagnie to accommodate new additions. The acquisition of Harrison Barnes required Barnes to waive his $3.7 million trade kicker, which he ultimately did, benefiting San Antonio.
Typically, a player wouldn’t give up money for someone who might only be the fourth forward in the rotation, and a front office wouldn’t push for it. This unusual move indicates that the Spurs are keen to further evaluate Champagnie, a decision that appears wise.
At first glance, Champagnie doesn’t seem particularly standout. He’s a solid athlete with a height of almost 6’8″ in shoes and a 6’10” wingspan, fitting well as a small forward. He’s a career 37 percent shooter, slightly above league average, with 93 percent of his shots assisted last season, indicating he’s not a shot creator. Defensively, he’s good but not elite, often not guarding the opponent’s best scorer, a role typically given to Jeremy Sochan. So, why did the Spurs prioritize keeping him? The answer lies in his fit, potential, and contract.
The Spurs’ forwards excel when they get consistent touches. Keldon Johnson was moved to the bench mid-season to ensure Sochan continued getting touches despite playing alongside a ball handler. Johnson still got his shots off the bench. Barnes, on the other hand, experienced one of his worst offensive seasons due to reduced touches and shots. Though he may not return to being a featured offensive player, he could see an increase in usage with the Spurs. Champagnie, who doesn’t require many offensive touches, complements this setup perfectly, contributing without disrupting others.
Champagnie’s offensive specialization is valuable, but his defensive versatility makes him a great fit with any of the other three forwards. With Sochan, Champagnie can provide disruptive help defense, averaging 1.2 steals and a block per 36 minutes. When paired with Johnson, he can cover the primary perimeter threat, allowing Johnson to focus elsewhere. Alongside Barnes, Champagnie forms part of a duo of well-rounded players who can hold their own and contribute at the team level. Having such a plug-and-play option is advantageous.
There’s always a risk of overvaluing role players during rebuilds, and Champagnie has been an unremarkable role player so far. However, there’s potential for improvement. He had the second-best three-point shooting percentage on the team from above the break last season but struggled from the corners. With Chris Paul, Tre Jones, and Victor Wembanyama drawing defenders, Champagnie should get more open corner looks and could improve his 35 percent success rate from last season. If his defense continues to improve and his shot becomes more reliable, he could become a valuable fifth starter or utility sixth man.
Will this happen? It’s uncertain. Even if it does, the Spurs lack the high-usage ball handlers that make low-usage 3-and-D forwards particularly valuable. While Champagnie’s solid two-way game fits in the short term, there are long-term questions. Ideally, San Antonio would have players around Wembanyama who can pass, dribble, and shoot, and Champagnie only excels in one of these areas. The positive aspect is that if he doesn’t secure a spot in the rotation, he remains a tradeable asset with his non-guaranteed deal and promising skill set.
Champagnie won’t be the difference between winning 40 games instead of 30 and won’t be the centerpiece of any major deal. He might develop into a valuable 3-and-D wing, but it might not be in San Antonio due to the crowded wing positions. Finding minutes for him could be challenging early in the season.
Regardless of the outcome, Champagnie was worth Barnes’ financial sacrifice, and the Spurs were right to fight to keep him. While not spectacular in obvious ways, his solid skill set makes him a functional piece, crucial as the Spurs move past experimentation and into a more pragmatic stage of their rebuild.
Leave a Reply