Breaking down San Antonio's biggest problem, best- and worst-case settings, and dream view.
The Big Question: Is Victor Wembanyama available for perfect day?
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the 10 groups on the Christmas Day schedule, 20 more of the 7-foot-4 European phenom's activities will be broadcast on national TV, and the NBA is embracing the Victor Wembanyama time.
The Spurs are embracing the Wembanyama time, also. They attempted to make Jeremy Sochan a level watch on a team full of tasks, but they ended up discovering that, yes, they should encompass one of the most promising prospects in league past with some senior management, especially on the field. So they signed the best table-setter of his creation.
Granted, Chris Paul will change 40 years old by the end of this NBA calendar month, but just three instance next year — Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić — averaged more help per 36 minutes than Paul did from the Golden State Warriors ' bench. Look to what the 12-time All-Star did in Oklahoma City and Phoenix, where he corralled a ton of young players and sorted them into playoff-worthy outfits.
And he has Wembanyama at his disposal. The 20-year-old can be devastating from everywhere on the court, especially if he becomes consistent with his 3-point shot, and Paul can find him anywhere. It will be entertaining at the very least to watch the NBA try to stop the numerous combinations that a Hall of Famer could have with a player with the greatest upside in NBA history could have.
And it will be fascinating to see if Wembanyama can consistently make opponents pay from all angles. He is already the most potent defensive force in the game. Over the final month of last season, he averaged 24.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.4 blocks in just 33.1 minutes a game, only shooting 44.9 % from the field and 30.1 % from deep. It is frightening to imagine the possibilities once his efficiency increases.
We have proof of concept. In the Olympics, Wembanyama singlehandedly kept France in the gold medal game against Team USA. Wembanyama was almost enough on his own against one of the greatest talent collections the game has ever seen. Every night, he'll give the Spurs a chance.
They were not ready to seize those opportunities last season. San Antonio is not without talent. Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Sochan are the headliners from an unheralded group of under-25 prospects. No. Stephon Castle, the 4 overall pick for the NCAA title that UConn won for the second time last year, will join them. Each of them has the ability to create and defend multiple positions for both themselves and others.
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San Antonio can rely on Harrison Barnes to bring Paul's level of professionalism to the point guard position. After joining Golden State's Death Lineup at the age of 21, Barnes has since grown to become a veteran steward, helping the Sacramento Kings regain their relevancy. He is a career 37.9 % shooter from distance and has rarely strayed far from that mark in his 12 seasons.
In a crowded Western Conference room, is that enough to cause conversation? Wembanyama's level of readiness to take over this global spotlight will determine that. He will eventually give the Spurs a playoff spot. Has that point already been reached? When Wembanyama shared the floor with a competent point guard last season, the Spurs outscored opponents by 5.2 points per 100 possessions, a better net rating than the 50-win New York Knicks. Upgrade to Paul, add Barnes, and introduce Castle, and maybe, just maybe, they can keep up the pace Wembanyama has for them for the duration of the entire season.
Best-case scenario
Wembanyama arrives as a bona fide superstar. Paul maintains his commitment to shepherding a new generation. Now that the rotation makes sense, San Antonio's young players are free to focus on their roles, and they excel within them. They are aware of how to work alongside Wembanyama and effectively carry out their duties. He returns the favor, and the Spurs are in the hunt for a play-in berth.
If everything falls apart
Even a worst-case scenario is not so bad when Wembanyama is at the top of the bill. Maybe he is still exploring the extent of his capabilities. Perhaps his younger teammates are unable to understand their roles until he fully comprehends them as a paradigm-shifting entity. Spurs are experimenting once more with point guard positions, and Paul may not be able to handle the demands of an entire NBA season. Maybe team success is still a year away. Then what? For Wembanyama's arrival next year, they give them another lottery pick.
Fantasy spin
If you're lucky enough to get the first overall pick in your fantasy drafts, take Wemby. All of their players are on the floor because Spurs signed Paul. If you're hunting assists and steals in the later rounds, CP3 is an underrated option in the ninth round. Unfortunately, Vassell is on the shelf with a foot injury and wo n't be re-evaluated until Nov. 1. He was a risky pick in the seventh round, but if he does, he could make a great temporary draft and stash.
There's some late-round intrigue with Sochan. While the point-guard experiment did n't work out last season, it was a learning moment that allowed him to initiate the offense. That's important for fantasy, as I can see a little bit of Aaron Gordon in him. He'll be a good rebounder and facilitator from the dunker's spot, and I'm confident he'll outperform his 12th-round ADP by playing 30 minutes per night. — Dan Titus
2024-25 schedule
Season opener: Oct. 24 at Dallas
Complete schedule
Over/under win total: 36.5
Believe in Wembanyama's ascent. Believe in his Spurs. Take the over.
More season previews
East: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards.
West: Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and more.
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