Back in April, it seemed that the San Antonio Spurs and Keldon Johnson had put any rockiness behind them.
Johnson had gone from late draft pick to the G League, to an emerging franchise piece, to a frustrating and mistake-prone driver. However, after being moved to the second unit (something he was not eager to do), he settled in, becoming a locker room leader and Sixth Man of the Year.
It looked like he and the Spurs had finally found a balance, and everyone was better off for it.
Then, in the postseason, he averaged only 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds and was a net negative in the NBA Finals. Granted, for 82 games he was a reliable bench player, but with only one season left on his contract, the Spurs are back in a familiar predicament.
Can the Spurs Commit to Keldon Johnson Long-Term?
The 2026-27 season is the last one on Johnson’s contract. He will make $17.5 million, and then he will hit unrestricted free agency.
That is, unless the Spurs offer him an extension this summer.
Had his production remained the same in the playoffs, or even only faltered a little, extending Johnson would be an easy call for the front office. He’s a fan-favorite– despite his often frustrating play–and is the vocal locker room leader. His teammates have always called him the voice of the team. That should certainly mean something!
But there’s another question: do the Spurs want to commit to someone whom they can’t trust to have the ball in pivotal moments? Plus, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Carter Bryant will be getting big paydays in coming offseasons, so saving money is a priority.
The Spurs have already been busy in free agency, but both Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes are a bit more clutch than Johnson ever has been. A bought-in, focused Johnson is an elite asset to have, but there’s no guarantee that he will remain that player next season. Remember, his career has been a roller coaster so far.
If the Spurs make a trade this summer, expoect Johsnon to be included in it. He has his Sixth Man hardware, which increases his value, and the one year left on his contract makes him a premier trade chip. However, if he doesn’t get traded, expect that to signal that the Spurs see him as a key piece, even after his poor playoff showing.
Sometimes, you need an energy guy who can bring some physicality. While he won’t be taking the last shot anytime soon, his standout regular season should count for something. After all, you gotta play 82 games before worrying about the postseason!
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