The San Antonio Spurs have a shining beacon of hope in their midst, Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 French phenom who has dazzled in his rookie season. Despite a rough 22-60 record, Wembanyama’s standout performance gives the Spurs a promising future.
However, for the team to truly thrive, they need to find the perfect running mate for their star player. Here are three smart targets the Spurs should consider to complement Wembanyama’s unique skill set.
UConn Guard Stephon Castle
The Spurs have a golden opportunity in the 2024 NBA Draft with four picks, including the fourth and eighth overall. One intriguing prospect is UConn’s Stephon Castle. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 210 pounds, Castle played a pivotal role in UConn’s national championship-winning team. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, showcasing his versatility and defensive prowess.
Castle’s shooting needs improvement, as he made just 26.7% of his three-point attempts as a freshman. However, his defensive skills and size make him an ideal fit for the Spurs, who need to bolster their defense after posting a league-worst 120 defensive rating. Pairing Castle with Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, and Jeremy Sochan could transform San Antonio’s defense into a formidable force.
Atlanta Hawks Point Guard Trae Young
If the Atlanta Hawks decide to rebuild, Trae Young could become available, and the Spurs should jump at the chance to acquire the three-time All-Star. Despite playing just 54 games due to a torn ligament in his left pinkie, Young still averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists. His offensive prowess would complement Wembanyama’s skills, potentially making them the best pick-and-roll duo in the NBA.
The Spurs have valuable assets from the 2022 trade that sent Dejounte Murray to Atlanta, including three of the Hawks’ future first-round picks. These could be used to tempt the Hawks into a full-scale rebuild, bringing Young to San Antonio. His scoring and playmaking abilities would alleviate pressure on Wembanyama, allowing him to focus on his dominant defensive presence.
Highlights de Wemby en EDF 🇫🇷
▫️4 matchs – 4 Victoires
▫️19,0 PTS
▫️8,3 REB
▫️1,0 AST
▫️2,7 BLK
▫️2,0 STL▫️25,5 min
▫️ 2pts 45% | 3pts 47% | FT 80%
— Wemby France 👽🇫🇷 (@VicWembanyamaFR) May 26, 2024
Golden State Warriors Point Guard Chris Paul
NBA insider Marc Stein has mentioned the Spurs as potential suitors for Chris Paul, who could be traded or released by the Golden State Warriors this offseason. At 39, Paul is nearing the end of his career, but his leadership and experience would be invaluable for the young Spurs roster. Last season, Paul averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, proving he still has plenty to offer.
Paul’s impact on young teams is well-documented. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a surprising fifth seed in the Western Conference in the 2019-2020 season and took the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals. While the Spurs might not achieve the same level of success with Paul, his presence would accelerate the development of their young players, including Wembanyama.
San Antonio Spurs’ Future
Adding the right co-star for Victor Wembanyama is crucial for the Spurs to maximize their potential. Stephon Castle, Trae Young, and Chris Paul each offer unique benefits that could help San Antonio build a competitive team around their generational talent. Whether through the draft, trade, or free agency, the Spurs have exciting options to explore this offseason.
