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Spurs make savvy offseason moves to build around Victor Wembanyama

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3 weeks ago

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Certain as his native France is a front-runner among a dwindling World Cup field, Victor Wembanyama vaulted the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals last month behind durability and dependability.

Despite the prevailing notion that the Spurs can return to the Finals – and ideally win them – simply by employing their 7-foot-4 center, San Antonio has just as surely strengthened its bid through early free-agency savvy.

Signing veteran Tobias Harris to a two-year contract and adding Billy Donovan as coach Mitch Johnson’s lead assistant should go a long way toward fortifying San Antonio.

Harris recently agreed to terms with the Spurs after bringing grit and glue to another young franchise on the rise. The power forward averaged 13.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one steal in 136 regular-season games with the Detroit Pistons over the past two seasons.

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More importantly, Harris elevated his game in the playoffs, providing consistency as Detroit’s second-leading scorer at 18.1 points a game this spring. While his rebounding average (7.2) was up from his regular-season output and his assists (1.5) were on par, Harris differentiated himself as a sure hand in crunch time.

Beginning with Game 3 of the Pistons’ first-round series against Orlando, Harris scored 20-plus points in eight straight playoff games.

Considering San Antonio’s much-publicized struggles down the stretch in the Finals, having another reliable option late in games will be a boon.

How many times was San Antonio left searching for someone as cold-blooded as Knicks point guard and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson to put things away in the final five minutes?

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Harris can help lead his younger counterparts to that point through example and experience even among a group that exceeded expectations without him last season.

Donovan figures to provide tutelage all his own. Counting his time as Rick Pitino’s Kentucky assistant before 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach and 11 leading teams in the NBA, Donovan has been coaching for nearly as long as Johnson, 39, has been alive.

After stepping down as Chicago Bulls coach after six seasons to seemingly pursue another head job in the NBA or college, Donovan, 61, found the Spurs to be a fine fit. Johnson’s previous lead assistant, Sean Sweeney, departed to take over as Orlando head coach.

As some Spurs fans still stew over various late-game Finals decisions (see especially Harper, Dylan), there should be solace in knowing Donovan will be closest to Johnson’s ear.

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Not only is Donovan a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, he arguably brings a unique tough love to the huddle if Johnson needs guidance in the clutch or elsewhere. In 2017, Johnson coached alongside Donovan’s son, Billy III, for the Austin Toros, the Spurs’ affiliate in the G League.

Advice from a friend’s dad sometimes just hits harder.

Of course, Donovan won’t simply be advising his boss. Wembanyama and the rest of the team are ripe for the teaching, and Wemby’s financial acumen could ensure the team’s young core is around for a long time.

On Friday, Wembanyama and the Spurs agreed to a five-year, $252 million rookie extension that reportedly could have been even larger.

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However, Wembanyama chose to leave money on the table as Stephon Castle and Harper approach extension eligibility in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

“Vic never comes in and has an ego. He’s always worried about the team first and us getting wins,” Devin Vassell said last season of his towering teammate.

So is the Spurs’ front office, as landing Harris and Donovan suggest.

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Sports

5 players who are switching states ahead of India’s 2026-27 domestic season ft. Shashank Singh

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10 minutes ago

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3 August 2026

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The annual pre-season transfer window in Indian domestic cricket allows players to switch state associations as outstation or guest recruits under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations.

State teams are permitted up to three guest players to strengthen their squads ahead of the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaigns. These transfers are driven by players seeking more game time, specialized roles, or leadership opportunities, while developing state teams aim to recruit veteran talents to bolster their squad depth.

The upcoming 2026-27 season features several notable moves, with prominent domestic regulars and IPL players shifting allegiances. Let’s take a look at five such moves.

#1 Shashank Singh

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Shashank Singh will turn up for Puducherry in the 2026-27 season after shifting base from Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) has already issued an NOC to the player.

Singh alleged that the state association didn’t support him while he was recovering from an injury that he suffered last season. He further claimed that the association questioned his commitment, saying that the batter only wanted to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 27-year-old added that CSCS officials didn’t give him any clarity over why he was left out of the Chhattisgarh Premier League and the team’s pre-season camp.

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Singh has played 21 first-class games for Chhattisgarh over the last seven years. He has also represented the state in 31 List A and 42 T20s.

#2 Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Yash Dayal will represent Chhattisgarh in the upcoming domestic season. He has already joined the team’s pre-season camp in Alur.

Dayal has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 final, after which he faced charges relating to sexual assault. The left-arm pacer was retained by Gorakhpur Lions for the upcoming UP T20 League. However, he didn’t feature in the 18-member squad the franchise announced following the auction.

The 28-year-old has represented Uttar Pradesh in 27 first-class, 23 List A, and 71 T20s, picking up 186 wickets across formats, including two five-wicket hauls.

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Dayal will look to start fresh for Chhattisgarh in the upcoming season and make his way back to the scheme of things.

#3 Dharmendrasinh Jadeja

Chhattisgarh is looking to build a strong squad for the upcoming domestic season. As a result, they have roped in Saurashtra‘s veteran left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.

The 35-year-old spinner has been a stalwart in the domestic circuit, picking up 423 wickets in 100 first-class matches, including seven 10-wicket hauls and 26 five-fors. Jadeja also has 121 List A and 65 T20 wickets under his belt.

Jadeja is also a very handy batter in the lower order, accumulating almost 2900 runs across formats. He also has 10 fifties under his belt.

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Jadeja’s addition will certainly boost Chhattisgarh’s squad depth as they look to put in a spirited performance next season.

#4 Prasad Pawar

Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter Prasad Pawar has signed with Puducherry to play alongside Shashank Singh as a guest player in the upcoming domestic season.

Prasad has struggled for game time in the Mumbai squad, with Hardik Tamore playing as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. As a result, Prasad has decided to shift base to Puducherry in search of more playing time.

Prasad made his List A debut in 2021, while his first-class and T20 debuts came in 2023. Overall, he has represented Mumbai in 27 matches, scoring 591 runs, including one hundred and fifty each.

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#5 Jayant Yadav

An offspinner from Haryana, Jayant Yadav, has decided to join Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 domestic season. He brings truckloads of experience along with him, having represented India in six Tests and two ODIs while picking up 17 wickets in total.

Yadav has 96 first-class, 74 List A, and 95 T20s under his belt, picking up 272, 68, and 61 wickets, respectively, including two 10-wicket hauls and 15 five-fors. He is also very handy with the bat in the lower order, scoring 4781 runs, including three hundreds and 22 fifties. The 36-year-old cricketer also has one Test hundred and fifty each to his name.

Chhattisgarh will rely heavily on the spin duo of Yadav and Jadeja to bring laurels for the team in the upcoming season.