It’s not hyperbole to say that the San Antonio Spurs are the best team in the Western Conference. Not only do they boast the best net rating of any team, but the Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are the only two undefeated Western Conference teams.
The scary part? The Spurs are without their second-best player. De’Aaron Fox is yet to make his debut. Instead, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have been sharing point guard duties to great success.
Of course, the Spurs are built around Victor Wembanyama, who is emerging as the best player in the world. Once Fox returns and gets up to speed, the Spurs are expected to continue to dominate. The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, are built in a similar way and have found success without their two best players.
Both the Spurs and Lakers have the same “problem.”
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 13: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs Have Too Many Ball Handlers
Once Luka Doncic and LeBron James return, Austin Reaves will get a lot fewer touches. The problem? Reaves has been fantastic.
The same can be said for Harper and Castle once Fox returns. One of them, likely Castle, will have to step into a bigger off-ball role. Harper, meanwhile, may see a minute reduction.
While Reaves, Harper, and Castle have been fantastic, the Lakers and Spurs will be better once they get to full health. They will have to quickly figure out what the rotations and responsibilities look like.
“It’s a great problem to have, and they will figure it out,” declared Lakers’ insider JOvan Buha during a livestream. “I think Castle can play off the ball and be more of a two guard in certain configurations. It’s honestly in some ways kind of similar to what the Lakers have going on right now, where they have Luka, Austin, and LeBron. They’re trying to figure out how to make that work with three high usage primary ball handlers in San Antonio.”
Of course, that doesn’t even factor in Wembanyama, who is the main cog of the Spurs’ offense. Unlike the Lakers, the Spurs have an All-NBA big man for their facilitators and ball handlers to dump the ball off to.
Spurs to Eventually Follow LA Lakers’ Blueprint
Last season, the Lakers played well when Doncic, Reaves, and James were all healthy. This season, fans are expecting more of the same. However, both Reaves and James will be free agents this summer, and only one is expected to return to Los Angeles.
The Spurs are in a similar position. All three players are under contract for at least the next three seasons, although Harper and Castle especially hold massive trade value.
If the trio doesn’t quite live up to expectations, one could be shipped out for a better fit.
“I think, ultimately, how much those guys can play off the ball and the way they can play off the ball is going to determine the viability of that trio,” Buha finished.
Of course, Castle could excel as a small forward or Harper could slot into the sixth man role. The Spurs have plenty of options. Unlike the Lakers, they haven’t seen what their trio looks like all on the court at the same time. Results may vary!
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