What they're missing: The Spurs have shot 3s at an average rate this season but still rank 17th in attempts and 18th in makes from beyond the arc. San Antonio has a variety of players who can capably space the court for
Victor Wembanyama and playmakers
Stephon Castle,
De'Aaron Fox and
Dylan Harper, but no feared shooter opponents are unwilling to leave on defense.
Certainly, San Antonio hopes
Devin Vassell can be that kind of player. Vassell is a career 36.7 % 3-point shooter who has made as many as 2.7 per game, suggesting he'll probably improve on his current 34.7% accuracy. But adding an even better shooter alongside Vassell would make opponents think twice about unconventional defenses against Wembanyama that leave them exposed on the perimeter.
So far this season, only three teams have faced zone defense on more possessions than the Spurs, according to GeniusIQ tracking.
-- Pelton
What they can pull off: Trading four first-round picks to acquire Fox should remove San Antonio from trade conversations. But with six first-round picks in the next seven years (two that can be traded), control of Atlanta's first-rounder in the next two years (a swap in 2026 and unprotected in 2027), three future pick swaps and 15 second-rounders, San Antonio has the draft capital to upgrade again. The Spurs also have $40 million in expiring contracts, including former first-round pick
Jeremy Sochan.
-- Marks
What's next for San Antonio? When San Antonio drafted what it considered to be one of the final players of its Wembanyama-centered rebuild, the mindset was to first find out what the Spurs have on the roster before making any drastic moves. Nothing has changed from that standpoint. In fact, the club added talent through the draft that it believes fits with Wembanyama (Castle, Harper and
Carter Bryant). The Spurs also like the players they've acquired in trades and in free agency: speedy guard Fox,
Luke Kornet and
Kelly Olynyk. It's unlikely San Antonio will look around at the trade deadline, but don't count out the Spurs looking to add a potential role player who adds shooting.
-- Michael C. Wright