Spurs sign starting forward Julian Champagnie to a 3-year, $45 million contract after Finals run

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The San Antonio Spurs signed starting forward Julian Champagnie to a new three-year, $45 million contract on Monday, securing a key piece of the core that led the club to the NBA Finals this season.

The compensation was confirmed by a person familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms have not been released. The Spurs declined their $3 million option on Champagnie left from the contract he signed with them in 2023 to create some future salary cap flexibility and reward a player who has flourished in their system after arriving as a waiver claim.

Undrafted out of St. John's in 2022, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Champagnie signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and was let go after appearing in only two NBA games. He finished his rookie year with the Spurs and became a starter in 2023-24. Champagnie played in all 82 regular season games in 2024-25 and 2025-26, improving each year in almost every statistical category. His streak of 185 consecutive regular-season games played is the second-longest active streak in the league.

Champagnie averaged 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Western Conference champion Spurs last season while shooting 38.1% from 3-point range. He set the franchise single-season record with 195 made 3-pointers — and the single-game record with 11 against the New York Knicks on Dec. 31. Champagnie had a career-high 36 points in that game while setting the NBA record for made 3-pointers by an undrafted player and also became the first player in league history to score at least 36 points without attempting a two-point field goal.

The 25-year-old native of New York contributed valuable floor spacing, hustle and leadership from his spot on the wing for the Spurs over 23 playoffs games while shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range.

Champagnie's twin brother, Justin Champagnie, also went undrafted out of Pittsburgh and has played for three NBA teams, including the past three seasons with the Washington Wizards.

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AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA