Spurs’ Rapid Ascension To NBA Finals Spells Doom For The Rest Of The League

BusinessSportsMoneySpurs’ Rapid Ascension To NBA Finals Spells Doom For The Rest Of The LeagueByBryan Toporek,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bryan Toporek covers the NBA for Forbes Sports.Follow AuthorMay 31, 2026, 04:04pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with Stephon Castle #5 and De'aaron Fox #4 after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 111 to 103 to win Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)Getty ImagesLed by 22-year-old wunderkind Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on the road in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday, 111-103. They're now set to revive the 1999 NBA Finals by facing off against the New York Knicks for this year's championship.That should send chills down the spines of the 29 other front offices through the league. Much like the Thunder over the past few years, the Spurs are well ahead of schedule in their rebuild. They had back-to-back 22-win seasons, which netted them Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 and Stephon Castle with the No. 4 overall pick in 2024. They proceeded to acquire De'Aaron Fox at the 2025 trade deadline and then landed Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick in this past year's draft.Teams won’t be able to go on that type of a draft run for the next few years. The NBA just passed a massive draft lottery reform, part of which prohibits teams from receiving top-five picks in t...