The San Antonio Spurs officially began a new era last season with Victor Wembanyama as the franchise centerpiece. Wembanyama had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history, showcasing his immense potential. However, as a team, the Spurs struggled, finishing 14th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record.
This offseason, the Spurs made a major move by adding veteran point guard Chris Paul, which will provide the team with veteran leadership and guidance for their young core. With Wembanyama leading the way and Paul running the offense, the Spurs could be a surprise team this season, with hopes of making a push for the playoffs.
Here’s a breakdown of their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.
Point Guard (PG)
Starter: Chris Paul
Reserves: Tre Jones, Blake Wesley, Malachi Flynn
Chris Paul, entering his 20th NBA season, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the young Spurs team. Last season with the Golden State Warriors, Paul battled injuries and played in only 58 games, averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range.
While his production was down, Paul’s basketball IQ and playmaking abilities remain elite. Now, he’ll have one of the best lob threats of his career in Victor Wembanyama and will handle the ball-handling duties for the Spurs. Paul’s ability to mentor the young players and orchestrate the offense around Wembanyama will be crucial to the team’s success.
Tre Jones will provide solid backup minutes as a reliable point guard, and Blake Wesley and Malachi Flynn round out the point guard rotation with young potential.
Shooting Guard (SG)
Starter: Devin Vassell (Out)
Reserves: Malaki Branham, Sidy Cissoko, BJ Boston, Stephon Castle
With Devin Vassell sidelined to start the season due to injury, the Spurs will likely give the starting shooting guard spot to rookie Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Castle is a versatile and athletic guard who can score and defend at a high level. This will be a great opportunity for him to develop and showcase his skills early on.
Devin Vassell, who was the second-best player on the team last season, averaged 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range. Vassell’s scoring and defense will be missed early in the season, but he’ll return to the starting role once healthy.
Malaki Branham, Sidy Cissoko, and BJ Boston provide depth and will compete for playing time.
Small Forward (SF)
Starter: Harrison Barnes
Reserves: Julian Champagnie, Harrison Ingram, David Duke Jr.
Harrison Barnes, acquired in a three-team trade, brings a veteran presence and stability to the small forward position. Last season with the Sacramento Kings, Barnes averaged 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. His experience and leadership will be invaluable for this young Spurs team, and he’ll help mentor players like Julian Champagnie, who showed promise last season.
Julian Champagnie is a young player with upside, while Harrison Ingram and David Duke Jr. will compete for minutes off the bench.
Power Forward (PF)
Starter: Jeremy Sochan
Reserves: Keldon Johnson, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Riley Minix
Jeremy Sochan will likely get the nod as the starting power forward over Keldon Johnson. Sochan had a solid season last year, averaging 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 43.8% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. He is a versatile forward who brings energy, defense, and playmaking to the team.
Keldon Johnson, who had a better statistical season, averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range, will still play a major role and could move into the starting lineup depending on matchups. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Riley Minix provide additional depth at the forward spots.
Center (C)
Starter: Victor Wembanyama
Reserves: Zach Collins, Charles Bassey
Victor Wembanyama is the centerpiece of the Spurs’ rebuild and will continue to be the focal point of the franchise moving forward. Wembanyama had a stellar rookie campaign, winning Rookie of the Year honors and finishing as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.
He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 32.0% from three-point range. At 7-foot-4 with unmatched skills for his size, Wembanyama is already one of the most unique and impactful players in the NBA. His continued growth will determine how far the Spurs can go this season and beyond.
Zach Collins will be the primary backup at center, offering toughness and rebounding, while Charles Bassey adds depth and energy off the bench.
The San Antonio Spurs are entering an exciting phase with Victor Wembanyama at the helm, and the addition of Chris Paul provides them with much-needed veteran leadership and experience. Wembanyama is already on his way to becoming one of the best players in the NBA, and this season will be about continuing his development while also seeing how the pieces around him fit.
The Spurs have a solid mix of young talent and veterans, with players like Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle, and Keldon Johnson looking to take the next step in their careers. The addition of Harrison Barnes will help the younger players learn and grow, while Chris Paul’s playmaking could elevate Wembanyama’s game to even greater heights.
Health will be a key factor, particularly for Devin Vassell, who is an integral part of the team. If the Spurs can stay healthy and Wembanyama continues to dominate, they have the potential to surprise people and push for a spot in the play-in tournament or even the lower playoff seeds.
The Western Conference is tough, but with Victor Wembanyama leading the way and Chris Paul guiding the young core, the Spurs have the pieces to make a run. While they may not be immediate contenders, they’re laying the groundwork for what could be a very bright future.
Here are all the projected lineups we’ve done so far:
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2024-25 Sacramento Kings Projected Starting Lineup
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