San Antonio Spurs 2024-25 season preview: It is profitable time for Victor Wembanyama

The 2024-25 NBA season is right here! We’re breaking down the largest questions, best- and worst-case situations, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 groups. Get pleasure from!

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

2023-24 end

Offseason strikes

• Additions: Harrison Barnes, Chris Paul, Stephon Citadel

• Subtractions: Devonte’ Graham, Cedi Osman, Dominick Barlow

• Complete roster

The Massive Query: Is Victor Wembanyama prepared for prime time?

The NBA is embracing the Victor Wembanyama period, including the San Antonio Spurs as one in every of 10 groups on the Christmas Day slate and scheduling 20 extra of the 7-foot-4 French phenom’s video games on nationwide TV.

The Spurs are embracing the Wembanyama period, too. They handled his rookie season as an experiment, making an attempt to remodel Jeremy Sochan into a degree guard on a workforce filled with initiatives, solely to find that, yeah, perhaps they need to encompass some of the promising prospects in league historical past with some veteran management, particularly on the ball. So that they signed the most effective table-setter of his technology.

Granted, Chris Paul will flip 40 years outdated by the tip of this NBA calendar yr, however solely three starters final season — Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić — averaged extra assists per 36 minutes than Paul did from the Golden State Warriors’ bench. Look to what the 12-time All-Star did in Oklahoma Metropolis and Phoenix, the place he corralled a ton of younger gamers and sorted them into playoff-worthy outfits.

And he has Wembanyama at his disposal. The 20-year-old may be devastating from in all places on the court docket, particularly if he turns into constant along with his 3-point shot, and Paul can discover him wherever. On the very least, it is going to be enjoyable to look at the NBA attempt to cease the numerous outcomes which can be attainable in a pick-and-roll partnership between a Corridor of Fame level guard and the man with the best upside in NBA historical past.

And it is going to be fascinating to see if Wembanyama can constantly make opponents pay from all angles. He’s already the sport’s most devastating defensive drive. Over the ultimate month of final season, he averaged 24.1 factors, 12.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.4 blocks in simply 33.1 minutes a sport, solely taking pictures 44.9% from the sphere and 30.1% from deep. It’s scary to think about the probabilities as soon as his effectivity will increase.

Now we have proof of idea. Within the Olympics, Wembanyama singlehandedly saved France within the gold medal sport in opposition to Group USA. In different phrases, in opposition to one of many best collections of expertise the sport has ever seen, Wembanyama was virtually sufficient on his personal. He’ll give the Spurs an opportunity each evening.

They weren’t able to seize these alternatives final season. San Antonio isn’t with out expertise. Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Sochan are the headliners from an unheralded group of under-25 prospects. No. 4 general draft choice Stephon Citadel, who stewarded UConn to a second straight NCAA title final season, will be part of them. Every of them can create for himself and others and defend a number of positions.

San Antonio is counting on Harrison Barnes to convey the identical degree of professionalism to its wings as Paul does to the purpose guard place. Barnes was as soon as the youngest member of Golden State’s Dying Lineup and has since developed right into a veteran steward, aiding the Sacramento Kings’ return to relevancy. He’s a profession 37.9% shooter from distance and has hardly ever strayed removed from that mark in his 12 seasons.

Is that sufficient to make noise in a crowded Western Convention? That can rely on how ready Wembanyama is to personal this worldwide highlight. There might be a time when he’ll assure the Spurs a playoff berth. Have we reached that time so quickly? When Wembanyama shared the ground with a reliable level guard final season, the Spurs outscored opponents by 5.2 factors per 100 possessions, a greater web ranking than the 50-win New York Knicks. Improve to Paul, add Barnes and introduce Citadel, and perhaps — simply perhaps — they preserve the tempo that Wembanyama units for them over a full season.

Finest-case state of affairs

Wembanyama arrives as a bona fide famous person. Paul stays wholesome and dedicated to shepherding one other younger core. Now that the rotation is sensible, San Antonio’s younger gamers are free to concentrate on their roles, and so they excel inside them. They perceive how one can complement Wembanyama and execute their duties extra effectively. He returns the favor, and the Spurs are within the hunt for a play-in berth.

If all the things falls aside

Even a worst-case state of affairs isn’t so dangerous when Wembanyama is on the prime of the invoice. Possibly he’s nonetheless exploring the extent of his capabilities. Possibly his younger teammates can’t get a deal with on their roles till he totally realizes his as a paradigm-shifting entity. Possibly Paul can now not deal with the pains of a full NBA season, and the Spurs are experimenting once more at level guard. Possibly workforce success remains to be a yr away. Then what? They ship one other lottery decide to place alongside Wembanyama for subsequent yr’s arrival.

Fantasy spin

For those who’re fortunate sufficient to get the primary general decide in your fantasy drafts, take Wemby. The Spurs bringing in Paul raises the ground for all their gamers. For those who’re looking assists and steals within the later rounds, CP3 is an underrated choice within the ninth spherical. Sadly, Vassell is on the shelf with a foot damage and will not be re-evaluated till Nov. 1. He is a dangerous decide within the seventh spherical, but when he falls past that, he might be a wonderful momentary draft and stash.

There’s some late-round intrigue with Sochan. Whereas the point-guard experiment did not work out final season, it was a studying second that allowed him to provoke the offense. That is essential for fantasy, as I can see somewhat little bit of Aaron Gordon in him. He’ll be an excellent rebounder and facilitator from the dunker’s spot, and I am assured he’ll outperform his Twelfth-round ADP by taking part in half-hour per evening. — Dan Titus

2024-25 schedule

Imagine in Wembanyama’s ascent. Imagine in his Spurs. Take the over.

Extra season previews

East: Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West: Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • Los Angeles Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz