Table of Contents
The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We’re breaking down the biggest questions, best and worst case scenarios, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 teams. Enjoy!
SAN ANTONIO SPILLS
Final 2023-24
Off-season moves
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Additions: Harrison Barnes, Chris Paul, Stephon’s Castle
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Subtractions: Devonte’ Graham, Cedi Osman, Dominick Barlow
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complete list
The big question: Is Victor Wembanyama ready for primetime?
The NBA is embracing the Victor Wembanyama era, adding the San Antonio Spurs as one of 10 teams on the Christmas Day roster and scheduling 20 more games for the 7-foot-4 French phenom on national television.
Spurs are also embracing the Wembanyama era. They treated his rookie season as an experiment, trying to transform Jeremy Sochan into a point guard on a team full of projects, only to discover that, yes, maybe they should surround one of the most promising prospects in league history with some Veteran leadership, especially with the ball. So they hired the best table setter of their generation.
Of course, Chris Paul will turn 40 at the end of this NBA calendar year, but only three starters last season (Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić) averaged more assists per 36 minutes than Paul did off the Golden State bench. Warriors. . Look at what the 12-time All-Star did in Oklahoma City and Phoenix, where he rounded up a bunch of young players and built them into playoff-worthy teams.
And you have Wembanyama at your disposal. The 20-year-old can be devastating from anywhere on the court, especially if he becomes consistent with his 3-point shot, and Paul can find him anywhere. At the very least, it will be fun to watch the NBA try to stop the many outcomes that are possible in a pick-and-roll partnership between a Hall of Fame point guard and the guy with the most upside in NBA history.
And it will be fascinating to see if Wembanyama can consistently make his opponents pay from all angles. He is already the most devastating defensive force in the game. During the final month of last season, he averaged 24.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.4 blocks in just 33.1 minutes per game, shooting just 44.9% from the field and a 30.1% from deep. It’s scary to imagine the possibilities once you increase your efficiency.
We have proof of concept. At the Olympics, Wembanyama single-handedly kept France in the gold medal game against the United States team. In other words, against one of the greatest collections of talent the sport has ever seen, Wembanyama was practically enough on his own. He will give the Spurs a chance every night.
They weren’t prepared to take advantage of those opportunities last season. San Antonio is not without talent. Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Sochan headline a little-known group of under-25 prospects. No. 4 overall draft pick Stephon Castle, who led UConn to a second straight NCAA title last season, will join them. Each of them can create for themselves and others and defend multiple positions.
San Antonio relies on Harrison Barnes to bring the same level of professionalism to its wings as Paul does to the point guard position. Barnes was once the youngest member of Golden State’s Death Lineup and has since become a veteran delegate, helping the Sacramento Kings return to relevance. He is shooting 37.9% from long range and has rarely strayed from that mark in his 12 seasons.
Is that enough to make noise in a crowded Western Conference? That will depend on how prepared Wembanyama is to take over this international spotlight. There will be a time when he will guarantee the Spurs a playoff spot. Have we reached that point so soon? When Wembanyama shared the court with a competent point guard last season, the Spurs outscored their opponents by 5.2 points per 100 possessions, a better net rating than the New York Knicks, who won 50. Update Paul, add Barnes and introduce Castle, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll keep up the pace Wembanyama sets for them for a full season.
The best of cases
Wembanyama arrives like a true superstar. Paul remains healthy and committed to shepherding another young core. Now that the rotation makes sense, San Antonio’s young players are free to focus on their roles and excel at them. They understand how to complement Wembanyama and execute their responsibilities more efficiently. He returns the favor and the Spurs are in the hunt for a play-in spot.
If everything falls apart
Even the worst case scenario isn’t so bad when Wembanyama tops the list. Perhaps you are still exploring the extent of your capabilities. Perhaps his young teammates won’t be able to handle their roles until he fully realizes his as a paradigm-shifting entity. Paul may no longer be able to withstand the rigors of a full NBA season, and the Spurs are experimenting with the point guard again. Perhaps the team’s success is still a year away. So what? They deliver another lottery pick to put alongside Wembanyama for next year’s arrival.
fantasy twist
If you’re lucky enough to get the first overall pick in your fantasy drafts, take Wemby. The Spurs bringing in future Hall of Famer Chris Paul elevates the playing field for all of their players. If you’re looking for assists and steals in the later rounds, CP3 is an underrated option in the ninth round. Unfortunately, Devin Vassell is on the shelf with a foot injury and will not be re-evaluated until November 1st. He’s a risky pick in the seventh round, but if he falls beyond that, he could be an excellent draft pick and temporary reserve.
There is some intrigue in the latest round with Jeremy Sochan. While the point guard experiment didn’t work last season, it was a learning moment that allowed him to get the offense going. That’s important for fantasy, as I can see a little bit of Aaron Gordon in him. He’ll be a good rebounder and facilitator from the dunk spot, and I’m sure he’ll surpass his Round 12 ADP playing 30 minutes a night. — Dan Tito
Calendar 2024-25
Believe in the rise of Wembanyama. Believe in your Spurs. Take control.
