Spurs forward Keldon Johnson enters contract year lighter after 15-point preseason close
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The gist
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, lost at least 15 pounds this offseason and closed preseason with 15 points.
He is entering the final year of his contract, making his role and extension talks the story to watch.
Background
Keldon Johnson is a San Antonio Spurs forward, the 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year (the league's top bench player) and the longest-tenured current Spur. He is entering the final year of a four-year, $80 million extension he signed in July 2022, and is expected to stay on the bench this season. He drew attention this preseason by reporting lighter — listed at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds — after an offseason in which he says he ate at home and skipped snacks.
How it unfolded
- Oct 8, 2026Johnson played 18 minutes in the preseason opener against Atlanta, finishing with 3 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Oct 10, 2026He played 16 minutes against Phoenix, finishing with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
- Oct 12, 2026He played 24 minutes at Utah, finishing with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
- Oct 14, 2026Johnson was ruled out for the preseason game against Phoenix for rest after playing the first three preseason games; his next chance to play was listed as Friday against Sacramento.
- Oct 16, 2026He played in the preseason game against Sacramento at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
- Oct 18, 2026He finished with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes in the 126-97 preseason-ending win over Sacramento.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Johnson said he feels "better" — faster, just as strong and a better player at his lighter weight, which he attributed to eating at home and skipping snacks.
- Coach
- Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said nobody would have perceived Johnson as lacking strength at any weight, and expects him to be more explosive vertically and in better shape to play longer.