The NBA landscape? It is always shifting, always messing with our heads. Just look back to the 2023-24 season: everyone thought the Celtics were building a dynasty around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks were legit Finals challengers. The Suns had that intriguing trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, while Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo were just starting their run in Milwaukee. On the flip side, the Pistons were absolutely brutal, losing an NBA-record 28 straight games, and even though Victor Wembanyama won Rookie of the Year, the Spurs were still way off at 22-60. Fast forward three years, and those teams look completely different. And three years from now, by the 2029-30 season, things are set to flip again.
San Antonio’s $61 Million Problem
So, who is looking good for 2029-30? The San Antonio Spurs are projected to be the top team in the league. Victor Wembanyama will be 26, and he is expected to be the best player in the entire NBA. That is huge, right? But here is the kicker: even taking less than his maximum salary, Wemby will be on a deal paying him over $50 million. Add in big contracts for young stars Dylan Harper (23) and Stephon Castle (25), and team building gets tricky fast. Especially when you have De’Aaron Fox, who will be 32, on a “massively overpaid” $61 million deal. The source says it plain: the Spurs will probably have to trade Fox just to pay everyone and construct a reasonable roster around Wembanyama. That might even cost them assets to get done. Good thing San Antonio has “stockpiled a lot of them,” because having the league’s best player, plus those supplementary stars and role players, should make them a top-three team. But that Fox contract is a monster.
Oklahoma City’s Prime Core and Tough Choices
Coming in right behind the Spurs are the Oklahoma City Thunder. They are already elite, and they are only going to get better by 2029. Their core three of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31), Jalen Williams (28), and Chet Holmgren (27) will all be squarely in their prime. Plus, they have a whole bench full of young role players like Aday Mara (24) and Bennett Stirtz (26) who will have improved significantly. With an Asset grade of A-, the future looks bright. But it is not all smooth sailing. The Thunder are going to face some tough decisions and “cuts in future years.” They have already moved on from players like Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins to try and keep guys like Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell. It just shows that even when you are stacked with talent, managing those contracts and roster spots is a brutal game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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