Kendrick Perkins Identifies Spurs' Untouchable Core After Finals Defeat

The San Antonio Spurs entered the 2026 NBA Finals as one of the league’s most compelling stories. Led by the rapid emergence of Victor Wembanyama and a talented young core, the franchise accelerated its rebuilding timeline and reached its first championship series since 2014.

Although the Spurs ultimately fell to the New York Knicks in five games, their season was widely viewed as a major success. Few expected San Antonio to challenge for a title this quickly, making the Finals appearance an important milestone in the organization’s long-term development.

Still, championship losses often lead to difficult questions. The Spurs showed flashes of brilliance throughout the postseason but struggled to close out games against a veteran New York team that consistently executed better in critical moments. Those shortcomings have already sparked discussions about potential roster changes.

Among those offering opinions is ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who believes San Antonio’s path forward requires a clear commitment to its young stars. In his assessment, only three players should be considered untouchable as the franchise looks to transform a Finals appearance into a championship.

1. Perkins Calls for Major Evaluation

Following the Spurs’ defeat, Perkins offered a strong assessment of the team’s roster construction. While praising the foundation San Antonio has established, he suggested that significant decisions may be necessary if the organization hopes to take the next step. A major focus of Perkins’ comments centered on De’Aaron Fox. The veteran guard played an important role during the season, helping stabilize the backcourt and contribute to the Spurs’ rise in the Western Conference. However, Perkins questioned whether Fox remains the ideal fit moving forward. According to Perkins, Dylan Harper’s development changes the equation. The rookie guard consistently delivered offensively throughout the Finals and demonstrated the type of poise that suggests he could become one of the franchise’s cornerstone players. Perkins argued that Harper’s continued growth should become a priority for the organization. In his view, giving the young guard greater responsibility may ultimately prove more valuable than maintaining the current structure of the roster.

2. Three Players Stand Above the Rest

While Perkins advocated for evaluating much of the roster, he made it clear that three players should remain off limits in any future discussions. At the top of that list is Wembanyama, the player many believe could become the face of the NBA for the next decade. Wembanyama once again showcased his extraordinary talent during the Finals. Despite the series loss, he averaged 26 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game while impacting virtually every aspect of the contest. His combination of size, skill, and defensive dominance remains unmatched across the league. Perkins also identified Stephon Castle as a foundational piece. Castle’s continued growth throughout the season provided San Antonio with another versatile contributor capable of affecting games on both ends of the floor. His consistency and competitiveness helped solidify his place within the team’s future plans. The third player on Perkins’ untouchable list was Harper. The young guard emerged as one of the Spurs’ most reliable offensive options during the championship series, averaging 18 points and 6.4 rebounds. His performance under pressure strengthened the belief that he could become a key pillar of the franchise moving forward.

3. Spurs Face Important Offseason Decisions

Despite the disappointment of losing in the Finals, San Antonio enters the offseason from a position of strength. The organization possesses one of the league’s most promising young cores and has already demonstrated the ability to compete with elite teams. The Spurs’ postseason run included a significant accomplishment in the Western Conference Finals, where they defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series. That victory showcased the team’s potential and suggested that its championship window may be opening sooner than expected. However, the Finals also exposed areas that require improvement. New York consistently capitalized on mistakes, erased deficits, and won critical moments throughout the series. San Antonio’s inability to protect leads and close out games highlighted the experience gap between the two teams. The good news for the Spurs is that they possess financial flexibility heading into the offseason. With available cap space and a strong collection of young talent, the front office has multiple avenues to strengthen the roster. Whether that means pursuing established veterans, adding more shooting, or restructuring portions of the lineup, the organization now faces the challenge of building a championship-caliber supporting cast around its emerging stars.