2024-25 NBA Season Preview: San Antonio Spurs

2024-25 NBA Season Preview: San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are in an exciting time, last off-season, the dream was complete by getting Victor Wembanyama and he’s somehow better than expected. Even though the Spurs were 22-60, at least 15 games were decided by six points or less, which is close to .500 for a team that just got Wemby. The Spurs are looking to compete for a low playoff spot and also be in the running for the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes (Wemby and Flagg?!). The Spurs have rebuilded the right way, now it’s paying off beautifully, let’s see how it shows in 2024-2025 Spurs season preview.

2023-2024 Season Recap

Before we can dive into the Spurs season preview for 2024-2025, we have to recap 2023-2024. As mentioned, the 2023-24 season saw the Spurs finish with a 22-60 record. It was a rebuild and develop season from the start the way the roster looked. Even though the draft class for 2024 was a weak one, there was no rush in to try to contend for a playoff spot immediately with all the young players on the roster. The team’s biggest problem was their inability to score, they can and are a great defensive team but their is not pure scorers on the team that will stretch opposing defenses.

The Spurs wasted a lot of time with the Jeremy Sochan playing at PG experiment. There’s a few reasons for this despite the fans’ disdain for this move. Sochan was a great defensive player but not a good scorer, Gregg Popovich tried to make him into his own Ben Simmons type of player. In doing so, Sochan did become a better passer and see the game a little better, and the Spurs lost a lot of games because of this. Which is fine, the Spurs didn’t need to win games this year and contend right away.

Devin Vassell is quietly putting himself on the map, most NBA fans that don’t follow the Spurs were surprised a no name like Devin Vassell got paid five years for $146 million—about $29 million a year for my non-math people. Which seems hefty at first glance, however the contracts in the NBA are ridiculous and growing every year, in 4 years, that contract will look like a steal. Vassell is the best scorer on the Spurs, he is able to score on all 3 levels efficiently. He is seeing the court better and is able to facilitate on offense but on all 3 levels, Vassell is the most consistent to score.

You just wait for Keldon Johnson to breakout, every year I think it’s the year he becomes a 20 PPG scorer, and it just hasn’t happened yet. He has tried to improve his game defensively and it shows in spurts, but sometimes there’s a lapse in judgement and becomes a liability. It happens less now but still a deficiency in his game. Offensively, they are looking for Keldon to be consistent. I geniuely believe has the tools to do it, but something is holding it up.

The last thing that needs to be mentioned is Tre Jones, he was the Spurs’ best PG last year by far. Which was part of the fans’ frustration by the Jeremy Sochan experiment. In fact, it may not a hyperbole to say that Tre Jones was the only player that was willingly to feed Wemby no matter the cost, which seems like a very simple solution. With Tre Jones on a contract year, the Spurs will be looking to incorporate him more in the offense and keep him around past this season.

Offseason Overview

The San Antonio Spurs didn’t shatter the Earth with their moves and push all-in to contend, smartly in this Spurs Season preview. They did make a few key moves to help further the progression and rebuild of the Spurs.

Let’s get the main one out of the way, the Spurs signed Chris Paul for 1-year $11 million. I’m a known hater to the deal because one, there were better players in Free Agency still available to sign, maybe not better leadership, but better players. I hated the $11 million, but it’s okay given that it’s only a year. If he stays a little bit longer on that much, I’ll be a little upset. However, his leadership and veteran presence cannot be denied. Not only will he be a great mentor and teacher to the young guards on the team, but also Wemby himself. CP3 IQ of the game is underappreciated and he will help Wemby understand the game even at a higher level. All this while actively feeding Wemby lobs like Paul was still in LA with “Lob City.”

The Spurs also drafted Stephon Castle. He fits right into the Spurs’ mold of what they’re trying to build: No nonsense, high IQ defensive player with offensive upside. Sounds like a Spurs player already. Despite being picked at 4, early indications might pin Castle as the best player in the draft. Obviously too soon to tell but at this rate, the Spurs might have gotten their money’s worth at 4.

Lastly, the Spurs received Harrison Barnes and a 2031 pick swap for just being a facilitator in the 3-team trade that sent DeMar DeRozan to the Kings and Chris Duarte to the Bulls. The 32-year-old veteran joins a team that desperately needs more scoring and he can bring it. While Barnes as slowly been declining in production, for a team that needs production, we could see a his production be rejuvenated.

The Spurs did get better, two veterans (even Chris Paul old self) will be beneficial to the Spurs. Castle will be a good pro, how good of a pro he will be is more of the question.

Projected Starting Five

The San Antonio Spurs projected starting 5 in this Spurs season previewmight seem a little too simple to predict, but if it was up to me, the starting 5 and the bench unit would almost be equal to give the Spurs best versatility, but I don’t think that will happen. Let’s see what I think will be the starting 5 for the Spurs this season.

Point Guard: Chris Paul

This is actually one I don’t want to do. Chris Paul is 39. His time to be starting is running out, however, I am not completely sold on the backup guards ready to start (which is okay), I would start those guys anyway. People are focused on how Chris Paul can help the starting unit, but I think his value leading the 2nd squad is way more compared to starting.

Shooting Guard: Devin Vassell

With the addition of Harrison Barnes, The Spurs now have 2 scorers at all 3 levels which will help each other in spacing the defense and also help Wemby have the paint for more unguardable 1v1s. There will also not be so much pressure on Devin Vassell to score as a young wing in this league. He might have an easier time with not the best defender guarding him.

Small Forward: Harrison Barnes

Like Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes and Vassell compliment each other by spacing the floor for each other and Wemby. If one good defender is on Vassell, Barnes may be open to score more. Especially with Gregg Popovich who is able to get guys open and has sets for Barnes to succeed. There won’t be as much pressure for Barnes to score for the same reason for Vassell, each of them have each other and Wemby to relieve the pressure

Power Forward: Jeremy Sochan

Jeremy Sochan is here to do what he was drafted to do, play defense. He will also help on the rebuilding end. With his ability to pass slightly improved due to last year’s experiment, he can be a beneficial cog in the starting lineup to help facilitate the ball, rebound, and play defense. Doing a lot of the dirty work for the Spurs so the others can have energy to score the ball.

Center: Victor Wembanyama

Like there was any doubt right? Victor Wembanyama is THE guy for the Spurs. Some would say that he was the guy last year and that’s not necessarily untrue. The goal for Wemby last year was to get his feet wet, see where he can improve on, see how he handles the pressure, etc etc. He handled all that gracefully and is now known as the guy in San Antonio. His ability to be a 2-way player cannot be understated. He buys in on defense (kinda natural being a French Slenderman), but is improving his game to score away from the paint, including the 3-point line. His length being a natural deterrent for opposing teams helps the Spurs out defensively so much. While most teams do want to handle their 1v1s, the Spurs can be more aggresive on defense knowing they have an alien protecting the paint for them for blow-bys, with Wemby help, the spurs can rotate on defense and force a lot of outside shots for limited efficiency, even in this NBA.

Key Rotation Players

Looking at the key rotation players in the Spurs season preview, we have changes to the starting unit and bench unit. With the additions to the starting squad, the bench naturally will become better with more talent for their unit. However, the lack of veteran presence on this squad is concerning and this is where I think Chris Paul would help the most. I can only assume when one of the backup guards in Tre Jones or Stephon Castle is ready to start, CP3 will be on the 2nd unit to help this team be more balanced

Tre Jones

Now, probably the 2nd best facilitator on the Spurs behind Chris Paul. You felt a breath of fresh air when Tre Jones got into the game and felt his presence being the point. One has to hope he will have the same impact on the more established 2nd unit. With Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson now on the 2nd unit, this unit can be solid. I think Tre Jones can be starting guard when the time comes as he serves that starting unit the best.

Stephon Castle

I don’t think it’s crazy to say that Stephon Castle stays on the 2nd unit the whole season. Not that he can’t play on the starting unit, but because he fits the team so well on the 2nd unit. Of course, he will get his time playing with some starters but he can play a vital role on the 2nd unit being the secondary ball handler, guarding the best player on the defensive side and have his upside for production. He doesn’t get those opportunities with the starting unit and could limit his development.

Keldon Johnson

Keldon Johnson was trending down to a key role player anyway and now his role is solidified on this team. He has a chance to be the guy to score on the 2nd unit and he will not have to worry for his lack of defense with Stephon Castle there. Keldon Johnson must be consistent in his production for success for the Spurs. If he cannot bring consistent production, he could be looked at as a trade candidate at the deadline.

X-Factor

It’s too easy to say Victor Wembanyama, so let’s look beyond that scope. The X-Factor needs to be a guy that may not be looked on to produce right away, but their production is correlated with the Spurs success. More success leads to more wins, bada bing, bada boom. The Spurs X-Factor is Stephon Castle

Stephon Castle

The Spurs timeline progresses as fast as their rookies and young players do in the Spurs season preview. The Spurs are looking to take advantage of next year’s draft class with all the picks they got. They want a shot at Cooper Flagg (like everyone else). However, whether they get him or not, they will know to either accelerate their timeline or slow it down based on the play of Stephon Castle. It’s more likely that he figures it out sooner this year than later which means the Spurs may try to contend next year in the playoffs. Stephon Castle is on the 2nd unit but could very well find himself in the starting unit soon.

Season Projection

The Spurs in this Spurs season preview may flirt with a play-in spot, but I’m not sure that’s the goal. The goal is for the Spurs to develop their young talent. They have this next draft to even acquire more talent, so they don’t need to rush this process. Sure, they may steal a play-in spot and even a playoff spot. If they do, they will get valuable playoff experience, and if they don’t, they get a better position for the draft to contend the year after. I have them about the 12 seed with 30-35 wins barring injuries. We’ll see how well the Spurs develop this year.

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