The San Antonio Spurs are Victor Wembanyama’s team. Every move they have made has been to maximize him, and no one within the organization has any doubts about their role, which is to put him in a position to succeed.
Last season, the Spurs traded for De’Aaron Fox to be Wembanyama’s running mate, although the duo has played in only five games together. On top of that, Fox is six years older than Wembanyama. The Spurs also have two young guards, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, waiting for their turn.
Last season, Castle won Rookie of the Year. The fourth overall pick posted 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. His outside shot is shaky, but his defense is solid. He is expected to be the third starter next to Wembanyama and Fox, at least for now.
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 06: Victor Wembanyama #1 and Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on January 06, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Stephon Castle to Pair With Victor Wembanyama
The Spurs are building an identity centered on defense. Outside of Wembanyama, the best defender in the world, the Spurs can boast Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Julian Champagnie, all strong defenders in their own right.
Adding a facilitator, slasher, and point-of-attack defender to the lineup next to Wembanyama only serves to maximize him on both ends of the floor. Castle fits the bill.
“The guy with the most obvious pathway to a big step forward is Castle because he demonstrated he’s going to be a core starter,” said Jared Weiss on the October 2nd episode of The Athletic NBA Daily. “This team is going to have much more structure to it. And I think that just gives Castle more room as really the third option, I guess you would say, to really take that step forward.”
Castle appeared in 81 games last season, starting 47 of them. This season, San Antonio is expected to have a more consistent lineup and rotation, provided they can stay healthy. However, Castle might not always be a starter for the Spurs.
Spurs Could Move Castle to the Bench
Between Fox, Castle, and Harper, the Spurs have a bit of a logjam at the point guard position. All three are excellent facilitators with below-average 3-point percentages. Fox is the best scorer, Castle is the best defender, and Harper, a rookie, is totally unproven but brimming with promise.
Long-term, the Spurs are expected to trade one of the three guards, although that might not happen until next summer. If they make a move, Castle might remain a starter. If they don’t, he might be given the reins to the bench unit.
In San Antonio, being the sixth man is the equivalent of being a superstar, so it’s hardly a demotion.
“You could see him being a sixth man down the road just because this game is like such a perfect sixth man game,” Weiss added. “It’s such a Manu Ginobili-esque kind of fit there. But I think at the very least, he’s a starter right now. He’s a lock to be a starter.”
Ginobili, after retiring, has remained on the Spurs‘ staff as special advisor to basketball operations. Basically, he serves as a player development expert. As the greatest sixth man of all time, he’s removed the stigma in San Antonio about coming off the bench.
While Castle might be the third-best player on the Spurs‘ roster for now, that doesn’t mean his status as Wemby’s long-term running mate is cemented.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Victor Wembanyama to Get Running Mate Before Spurs Shuffle Lineup appeared first on Heavy Sports.