The Unexpected Impact of a $3 Million Player on the Spurs' Journey

SAN ANTONIO — In a surprising turn of events, a player transaction on February 14, 2023, drastically influenced the San Antonio Spurs' season. The Philadelphia 76ers released Julian Champagnie, a rookie on a two-way contract, not due to subpar performance or a roster issue, but to allow Mac McClung a spot on the NBA roster to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest. Reflecting on that moment, Champagnie remarked, “Back then, being 22 … I thought it was over. I ain’t going to lie to you.” McClung ultimately secured the victory in the Dunk Contest, but Champagnie has emerged as the real success story from this transaction.

Just two days after his release, Champagnie joined the Spurs, who were mired in a challenging season with only 22 wins under the leadership of Gregg Popovich. They were still months away from winning the lottery that brought them Victor Wembanyama. Upon his arrival, Champagnie shared, “I don’t know what it was when I got signed here. I was so consumed with just getting waived. When I got here, Coach Pop told me I had a niche, which is shooting the basketball.”

Champagnie quickly made an impact, scoring 20 points in a crucial Game 7 victory over the Thunder, helping the Spurs secure the Western Conference title. Over his four seasons with the team, he has averaged 9.5 points per game while shooting 38% from beyond the arc. Following the selection of Wembanyama, the Spurs rewarded Champagnie with a four-year, $12 million contract, which pays him $3 million annually. This season, he achieved a personal best, averaging 11.1 points per game at a remarkable 43% shooting percentage, making him one of the league's most valuable contracts.

As the Spurs developed a championship-caliber team, including the drafting of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, as well as trading for De’Aaron Fox, Champagnie witnessed significant changes, including Popovich handing over coaching duties to Mitch Johnson after a medical emergency in November 2024. Initially coming off the bench, Champagnie was promoted to the starting lineup in December, replacing veteran Harrison Barnes, a move that greatly enhanced the team's shooting capabilities around Wembanyama. The Spurs then finished the season with a strong 39-11 record.

In the Western Conference finals, Champagnie shone brightly, averaging 17.3 points in the final three games of the series, shooting 48% from three-point range, earning him the title of “unsung hero” from Johnson. Now, as the Spurs prepare to face the Knicks in the Finals, Champagnie, a Brooklyn native, feels right at home in Madison Square Garden, having played there during his college days at St. John’s and his high school career at Bishop Loughlin. “Being able to go back to the Garden and compete for a championship, it’s the best feeling ever,” he expressed on Wednesday.