San Antonio Spurs Season Preview: How Soon Will Julian Champagnie Find His Stride?

Julian Champagnie's impressive performances last season and into Summer League were a big part of him earning a full-time four-year deal. He's experienced a dip in production this NBA Preseason, however, raising the question of how he can re-find his stride.

San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie has immense talent. 

Back at Philadelphia with the 76ers, he showed that. In 15 games played for the Spurs, he showed that. At Summer League, he showed that. Between his impressive shooting and natural poise with the ball in hand, Champagnie is not only a strong bench piece, but he's a player with starter potential, especially on a young team.

But if you just started watching the young forward, you might not believe that. 

Since the beginning of the NBA Preseason, Champagnie has appeared in all four of the Spurs' matchups — including one against his twin brother, Justin. But while he's seen game action, his impact has been less apparent, considering he's capable of putting up 30 points per game. 

Champagnie, so far, is averaging just 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and one STOCK through four appearances. Not bad. But not nearly the level at which he's proven himself capable, especially from behind the arc. In those same four games, Champagnie is shooting 3-20 from 3-point range. By last season's standards, he's in a scoring slump

So, how soon can he re-find his stride for San Antonio?

Oct 13, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) drives to the basket against his twin brother forward Justin Champagnie (20) of the Miami Heat during the first half at Frost Bank Center / © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest upsides of Champagnie last season for the Spurs was how instantaneous his impact was. Coming it at the trade deadline, the rookie made himself known rather quickly, scoring upwards of 20+ points within a few games of his arrival, which he credits to the environment he found himself in.

"There's only one way to really learn the game," Champagnie said. "You've just got to be thrown out there and play, and that's what [the Spurs] have been giving me. "Over time, you get more comfortable [on the court]." 

Since then, Champagnie has continued to impress the Spurs, beginning with a stellar string of performances at Summer League — a stint that eventually earned him a four-year deal in San Antonio. But just because he has a permanent spot on the roster for the next few years, doesn't mean he has any plans of slowing down.

"I'm just going to go with the flow," Champagnie said. "For me, it's about [taking] pride in all of my work. I want to prove that I'm a good asset to a team. [Signing] a contract is a relief, but the same rules apply. I'm going to go out and play the right way."

As talented as he is, Champagnie hasn't found a stride in preseason. When fully locked in and playing the way San Antonio expects him to, the rising second-year forward has the potential to fill in for an injured starter, as well as lead a bench unit in scoring from behind the arc. He's proven that against NBA-caliber defenders during the regular season, so the excuse of talent difference between regular season and Summer League can't be made. 

But Champagnie isn't making those excuses. His drop off in performance throughout the Spurs' exhibition is likely a result of hard and fast adjustments related to getting Victor Wembanyama settled and comfortable, which the forward says was expected.

"Obviously, [Victor] is going to come into the league with a big target on his back," Champagnie said. "I'm looking to be a guy that can relieve some of that pressure for him ... that's how I fit in." 

So, he's narrowed down his fit. He knows where he can impact the Spurs the best, both roster wise and on the court, so the next step for him is to ease back into the comfort he found last season. Then, it's only upwards from there. And he knows it.

"All of the guys in the locker room are young," Champagnie said. "That's definitely the best part. They've been really good pulling me along when I don't know certain things, and they've been really good friends. That's what's helped me to ease in really quickly."