Spurs Plan Three-Guard Starting Lineup for 2026-27 Season, News Says

Entering the 2026-27 NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs plan to start a three-guard lineup featuring De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and rookie-turned-sophomore Dylan Harper alongside Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama, basketball-world.news reported.

Mitch Johnson Confirms Three-Guard Starting Formation

Head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the decision following months of speculation regarding Harper’s readiness for a starting role. The trio tested this formation during a preseason win against Phoenix, logging an 11-minute stretch with a plus-minus of plus-10. Despite an obvious height disadvantage during those minutes, San Antonio won the rebounding battle 13 to 11. However, outside shooting proved difficult as the unit converted just two of nine three-point attempts, though only one miss came from the three guards themselves.

The numbers from the previous campaign present a starker picture. According to research cited by ESPN and reported by ClutchPoints, Castle, Fox, and Harper played a mere 69 minutes together last season, which included 25 minutes during the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. In that limited sample, the trio was outscored by 47 points. Johnson nevertheless chose to prioritize his top five talents over moving a guard to the bench.

De’Aaron Fox acknowledged that individual health played a role in those late-season struggles. In an interview with Andscape, Fox admitted that a high ankle sprain suffered against Minnesota in Game Four of the second round affected his mobility through the remainder of the postseason, including the Finals appearance against New York.

Success for the unit relies heavily on floor spacing and shooting efficiency. When it clicked, it clicked, Wembanyama said, noting that having multiple ballhandlers creates consistent pick-and-roll opportunities. The biggest thing is I’ve got handlers all around me, guys we want to put the ball in their hands and pick and roll around me.

Fox echoed those sentiments regarding perimeter accuracy. A lot of our season, a lot of how special that first group can be, it’s going to be predicated on how we shoot the ball, Fox said.

Billy Donovan Joins Staff to Manage Guard Rotation

To help manage the three-guard rotation, San Antonio added lead assistant Billy Donovan, who joins the staff following Sean Sweeney’s departure to become head coach of the Orlando Magic. Donovan previously coached a comparable backcourt configuration during the 2019-20 season in Oklahoma City with Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schröder. Fox noted that Donovan’s familiarity with that dynamic provides a blueprint for the current roster.

Additional roster management remains ongoing as the schedule begins. Forward Keldon Johnson told reporters that he dropped 15 to 20 pounds over the summer to improve his speed and overall movement. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris remains questionable for the season opener due to a left strain in his-left calf, though coach Johnson described his status as improving.

Unresolved Questions for Opening Night

The immediate test for the three-guard experiment arrives against Oklahoma City. While the preseason win against Sacramento showed the lineup’s offensive ceiling—highlighted by a 19-point opening quarter that powered a 42-18 early lead—the group’s ability to maintain defensive integrity and hit outside shots over an 82-game schedule remains unproven.

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