Breaking: Spurs eye Julian Champagnie for bigger role after Wembanyama knee scare
The Spurs beat the Knicks, but the room went quiet when Victor Wembanyama grabbed his knee. He left to the locker room in the second half. The team won, but the rotation questions started fast. I’m looking at one answer that fits right now. Julian Champagnie is ready to step in and stick.
The moment and the opening
Wembanyama sustained a knee hyperextension in the win. The Spurs will be careful with his minutes. That ripples through every unit, from the starters to the second group. When the frontcourt tightens, the wings matter more. That is where Champagnie enters the spotlight.
He is 6’8" with length and timing. He defends multiple spots and shoots on the catch. Coaches love players who do the simple things right. The Spurs drafted their identity again, even if he arrived undrafted.
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I expect Gregg Popovich to lean into spacing and size on the wing in the next stretch. That points to Champagnie. He can stabilize second units, and he can float next to stars. San Antonio needs clean possessions and quick decisions. That is his lane.
Who Champagnie is, and why he fits
Champagnie went undrafted in 2022 out of St. John’s. He started with the 76ers organization. The Spurs signed him to a multi-year deal in 2023 and put work into his shot and footwork. The result is a classic 3 and D profile, with a little more feel than most.
He keeps the ball moving. He relocates from slot to corner with pace. He closes out under control. He does not crowd star touches. That matters next to Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson. Pop wants guards to drive into space, not a crowd of bodies. Champagnie gives them that space.
Champagnie’s best look comes from the corners, catch and shoot, off simple drive and kick actions.
What he adds right now
If the Spurs shuffle minutes for health, expect cleaner spacing around the arc. Champagnie can punish tags and soft closeouts. He will sprint to the corner, hold his base, and fire on time. Defenses must choose. Help on a rolling big, or give him air.
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On defense, he guards 2 through 4 in most matchups. He slides, contests high, and finishes possessions with box outs. He is not a gambler. He plays within the scheme. That fits the Spurs’ switch and peel rules with Jeremy Sochan and Zach Collins.
Here is how his impact shows up on the floor:
- Quick catch and shoot threes that keep the paint open
- Solid point of attack help and clean contests on the wing
- Smart cuts behind ball watching defenders
- Rebound and outlet to trigger early offense
Put him with Vassell for two-way balance. Put him with Sochan for size and switching. Put him with Collins for a tidy pick and pop group. The mix is simple and useful. The numbers will follow if the shots fall.
The bigger picture, and the Spurs way
This is also about culture. The Spurs invest in wings who know their job. Think discipline, effort, and shot selection. Champagnie checks those boxes. He brings energy without forcing plays. He is also comfortable in a small role, then ready when the role grows. That is a Spurs pattern.
His NBA path has grit. Undrafted. Two-way minutes. A move from the 76ers to San Antonio. A multi-year deal earned by staying steady. He shares the journey with his twin brother, Justin, who has also seen NBA minutes. That family edge shows in how he competes.
If Wembanyama is active, Champagnie makes his life easier. More corner gravity means fewer bodies at the rim. If Wembanyama rests, Champagnie helps hold the line. He will lift second units and keep the Spurs’ defensive shape. In both cases, he adds value that reads on film.
The Spurs will treat Wembanyama’s knee with care. Expect cautious decisions on minutes and availability in the short term.
This is a chance for Champagnie to lock down a bigger slice of the rotation. He does not need plays drawn for him. He needs open windows and trust. He has earned both.
In a league full of loud scorers, quiet glue wins games in January and April. That is Champagnie’s lane right now. The Spurs need steadiness and spacing as they navigate the next few games. Opportunity has knocked. Julian Champagnie is at the door, feet set, hands ready, eyes up. Spurs fans, get used to seeing number 30 on the wing, catching, rising, and hitting. The moment is here, and he looks built for it. 🏀
