The San Antonio Spurs' strong start has overshadowed the impressive performance of forward Julian Champagnie, whose future with the team remains uncertain.
Champagnie has stood out after a hot preseason, shooting 19 of 30 from three-point range and proving to be one of the best value contracts in the NBA. At 6-foot-8, his blend of size and sharp shooting makes him a valuable role player, especially on defense.
While not a lockdown defender, he is far from a defensive liability. His length and agility allow him to guard his position effectively, and he ranks third on the Spurs with 6.4 rebounds per game, an above-average mark for his role.
The Spurs acquired Champagnie as a free agent midway through the 2022-23 season and then re-signed him to a 4-year, $12 million deal that summer. Now in the final guaranteed year of his contract, extending him should be a priority.
"If he were to hit unrestricted free agency, he could earn at least four times what he is making now, and the Spurs shouldn't let it get to that point."
The team should consider offering a four-year, $40 million extension to keep him through the 2029-30 season.
Julian Champagnie's combination of size, shooting, and defense makes him a key player the Spurs must secure soon to avoid losing valuable talent to free agency.
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