The developments the Spurs need to make this season

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With Victor Wembanyama out, these Spurs should step up.

The San Antonio Spurs are moving to a new chapter of their season. It's a sadder part now that Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the season with deep vein thrombosis. Even without their star player, this is still a crucial part of the season. With just over 25 games left in the NBA season, San Antonio must focus on developing its young core.

Sure, if De'Aaron Fox wants to get buckets for a few more weeks, he should. But with a bum finger and surgery looming, they may need to shut down their recently acquired guard not just for his health but to put the team in a better position for the 2025 NBA Draft. With the playoffs seemingly out of reach, this team should give its youngsters plenty of opportunities to improve and showcase their skills in the last third of the season. Here are a few developments the team should focus on.

More primary initiator reps for Stephon Castle

San Antonio's rookie, Stephon Castle, maybe the best prospect in his draft class. He's in the running for Rookie of the Year and has shown flashes of stardom with stout defense and scoring outbursts. He's currently going through a bit of a post-All-Star slump, which has impacted his playing time. Not only should he be getting more minutes with Wembanyama out, but he should also be a focal point of the offense for the rest of the season.

Castle has shown the ability to be a primary initiator in an NBA offense. He's a force getting downhill off the bounce and makes some flashy skip passes in the pick-and-roll. Just as often as he makes an incredible play, he makes a head-scratching one. That's to be expected for a rookie guard. Turnovers and poor shot selection are a part of the package. The only way to get better is through repetition.

The rookie averages just 3.4 assists and 1.9 turnovers per game. His assist rate is 20.2, which is 10 percentage points worse than Tre Jones during his season as a Spur. He's shooting an inefficient 41.3% from the field while averaging 12.6 points per game. If San Antonio's season isn't going anywhere, why not put the ball in the rook's hands and let him learn from his mistakes and improve as an initiator? The developments he makes now could pay major dividends when Wembanyama returns next season.

Finding a long-term wing

The Spurs' swingmen have been uneven, to say the least. Keldon Johnson has come along strong after the All-Star break, while Devin Vassell has struggled since coming back from a week off. Julian Champagnie is shooting 36.9% from three this season but goes hot and cold like no other player on the roster. The veteran, Harrison Barnes, has been the most consistent wing on the roster, but at 32, it's hard to consider him in the long-term vision of the team.

San Antonio needs to find good wings that can shoot, defend, and work within a modern NBA offense. They have their point guard and center of the future. The wings are the pieces they can fill out the team with. Ideally, someone like Vassell, Johnson, or Champagnie can be one of those pieces.

Vassell seems the most likely with his combination of size and shot-making ability. The problem is he's not making shots right now. He's shooting 42.8% from the field and 34.4% from three, only .05% higher than Jeremy Sochan (on a MUCH higher volume). It seems Vassell's confidence is shot right now. With Wembanyama out, Vassell should be a focal point for the offense. He's their second-best scorer currently. Giving him a hefty share of pin-downs, floppy screens, and pick-and-rolls to get him going feels like a good step right now.

Unleash Jeremy Sochan

It's hard to think of someone in a more frustrating position than Sochan. He's lost his starting spot after experiencing a few injuries despite playing well. He's been asked to do a lot over the last few years, like play point guard and now center. Neither of those spots seems ideal for him in the long term. He's best as an off-ball forward who creates havoc with his motor and cutting instincts. Toward the end of the year, it would be nice to see him get back to that role.

As a starter, Sochan averages 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds; he's down to 8.8 points and 5.7 rebounds off the bench. Putting him back into the starting lineup could inject some energy and fire into the start of games. His effort on the offensive glass would generate extra opportunities for a unit that's had its fair share of scoring struggles. Is Sochan a long-term starter? Maybe not. But he should be given ample opportunities on this team.