Is there a franchise in the NBA happier than the San Antonio Spurs? Even the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, face more adversity. After a 19-win season, most teams would be left wondering what went wrong. But for the Spurs, that was precisely the plan in Year 1 of the Victor Wembanyama era.
Not only did they struggle enough to secure high lottery odds, but Wembanyama also silenced any doubters by putting together a historic rookie season.
Playing just over 27 minutes per game, he averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds while leading the league in blocks and finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year race. After years of anticipation, the real product proved even more exciting than the fantasy.
The Spurs secured a top-four pick in the draft and added quality veterans to their roster. With a more competitive outlook in mind, what does the 2024-25 season have in store for San Antonio?
Stephon Castle in the Rookie of the Year Race
It’s rare for a team to produce back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners, but the Spurs have as good a chance as any this season. Last year, Victor Wembanyama faced no real competition for his crown. His dominance on both ends of the floor essentially clinched the award within the first 20 games.
This season, the field is more competitive, but San Antonio’s first-round pick, Stephon Castle, has a strong chance to make his mark.
Playing alongside Wembanyama, Castle will have ample opportunity to showcase his elite defensive and playmaking skills. While still raw as a scorer, he can quickly develop the other aspects of his game.
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With Chris Paul as his mentor, Castle’s development could be accelerated. Expect plenty of highlight-reel lobs to Wembanyama and for Castle to come into his own by season’s end.
Victor Wembanyama Takes the Next Step into Superstardom
The hype surrounding Wembanyama was nearly unmatched, except perhaps by LeBron James. His rookie season exceeded even the loftiest expectations, but that was just Year 1.
With the experience gained from the previous NBA season and his impressive showing at the Olympics—where he led France to the Finals—Wembanyama made it clear that he’s here to dominate.
Year 2 should see Wembanyama take his game to even greater heights. With improved point guard play around him, he’ll get better looks, whether near the basket or from the perimeter.
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Expect a flurry of alley-oops for the 7-footer, elevating his already stellar offensive game. Defensively, Wembanyama may take an even bigger step forward.
Typically, young players struggle on the defensive end when they enter the league, but Wembanyama is an exception. He led the league in blocks and finished second only to Rudy Gobert in the Defensive Player of the Year race. With another year of experience, expect his defensive dominance to continue to grow.
A Major Step Up Competitively
Last season was the first chapter of the Victor Wembanyama project. Although the Spurs won just 19 games, the season was a success.
Wembanyama had extended time to develop chemistry with his teammates and acclimate to the NBA. Plus, they avoided any major injuries that could have derailed their plans.
This season, the Spurs are aiming for a far more competitive outlook. They brought in veteran forward Harrison Barnes and the “Point God” Chris Paul, pairing one basketball genius with another in head coach Gregg Popovich.
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Additionally, another year of internal growth for their young players will be a significant boost. While they may not be ready for a deep playoff run, expect a season similar to the Utah Jazz of two years ago or the Houston Rockets last year, with meaningful progress and competitiveness.
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