Can the two most recent Kia Rookie of the Year winners, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, help the Spurs get back to the playoffs? (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Get Caught Up
2024-25 Record: 34-48 (13th in West, missed playoffs)
Even with Victor Wembanyama shut down on Feb. 20 because of a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis, there were steps in the right direction for San Antonio in 2024-25. The Spurs bumped up their win total by 12 compared to the season prior as Wembanyama became an All-Star for the first time.
The team also established one of the best point guard/center combinations in the league by acquiring De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline. And despite missing out on the playoffs for the sixth straight year, San Antonio realized its core of the future, pairing Kia Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle with Fox and Wembanyama in the starting five.
But it was also the end of a legendary era. Gregg Popovich – the NBA’s all-time winningest coach – stepped down after 29 years at the helm, leaving the franchise under Mitch Johnson’s guidance as it seeks to translate young talent to winning ways.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Bismack Biyombo, De’Aaron Fox (extension), Jordan McLaughlin
- Additions: Luke Kornet (free agent), Kelly Olynyk (trade), Lindy Waters III (free agent)
- Draft: Dylan Harper (2nd pick), Carter Bryant (14th pick)
- Departures: Malaki Branham (trade), Sandro Mamukelashvili (free agent), Chris Paul (free agent), Blake Wesley (free agent)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Charles Bassey
Locking up De’Aaron Fox for the next four years completed the Spurs’ core of the future, while signing an emergent big man in Luke Kornet ensures Wembanyama won’t be overworked. San Antonio also didn’t need to take action to retain production, as Devin Vassell (16.3 points per game in 2024-25), Castle (14.7), Keldon Johnson (12.7), Harrison Barnes (12.3) and Jeremy Sochan (11.4) are all still under contract.
Adding Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant – the No. 2 and No. 14 picks in the draft, respectively – gives Mitch Johnson lottery-level talent to work with on the bench. If the squad stays healthy, San Antonio could be playing its most competitive basketball since 2018-19.
Victor Wembanyama averaged 3.8 blocks per game across 46 games in 2024-25.
X-factor
Victor Wembanyama. We’ve yet to see how “The Alien” responds to a long-term injury, but the Spurs will expect him to be that same towering force who smashed game plans regularly in the first half of 2024-25. The 7-foot-3 center is, after all, a generational talent whom the franchise spent the offseason building around.
Having averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and a league-high 3.8 blocks last season — all career-best marks – Wembanyama is only getting better as a two-way threat unlike any other in the NBA. His shooting improved across the board with a 58.6% 2-point percentage and 35.2% 3-point percentage. The 2023-24 Rookie of the Year’s impact on the game is tremendous, and highlight reels back that up.
> Watch Victor Wembanyama on NBA League Pass
One key question
How will Dylan Harper fit into the picture? The Spurs already had quality options at guard with Fox, Castle and Vassell, but couldn’t pass up on taking the Rutgers product with the No.2 overall pick. Harper is a do-it-all playmaker – as evidenced by the Rutgers freshman scoring record he set – but if he wants to get involved, he’ll need to show some positional versatility.
Harper’s fight for minutes could come down to whether he’s able to establish himself as a great outside shooter, since Fox and Castle are both lacking in that area. Finding some chemistry early with Wembanyama and Vassell could also help his case. Regardless, Harper has too high an upside for him to linger on the San Antonio bench.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the West. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Spurs:
“Even though Victor Wembanyama missed most of the second half of the 2024-25 season with a blood clot issue, he’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp this fall. He should be the go-to piece on both ends of the court for the Spurs, but he has a decent core next to him in De’Aaron Fox, who recently signed a multi-year extension, and Stephon Castle. The Spurs also acquired Dylan Harper with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener: Oct. 6 vs Guangzhou Loong-Lions (8 ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season Opener: Oct. 22 at Mavericks (9:30 ET, ESPN)
- Home Opener: Oct. 26 vs. Nets (2 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup West Group C Play: Nov. 7 vs. Rockets (7:30 ET, Prime), Nov. 14 vs. Warriors (9:30 ET, Prime), Nov. 26 at Trail Blazers (10 ET, League Pass), Nov. 28 at Nuggets (9:30 ET, League Pass)
- NBA Christmas Day: Dec. 25 at Thunder (2:30 ET, ABC & ESPN)
- Rivals Week: Jan. 20 at Rockets (8 ET, NBC & Peacock)
What they’re saying
David Aldridge, The Athletic: “The Spurs did the right thing in taking Harper, even though they already have Fox and Stephon Castle. You worry about fit later when you’re still building the talent on your roster. The potential of Harper and Wemby pick-and-rolls is devastating. Fox, too, remains an offensive load: double drags, tosses, whatever. Olynyk is an excellent spacer besides Wembanyama — and insurance in case of a Wemby injury.” (Read More)
