The San Antonio Spurs are going to need to get the best out of their squad for the remainder of the season following the damning Victor Wembanyama news.
NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed that Wembanyama will be out for the season with a form of a blood clot in the right shoulder.
Lou Williams has called for De’Aaaron Fox to ‘make his mark’ on the team in Wembanyama’s absence following his recent arrival from the Sacramento Kings.
Fox certainly made his presence known in the team’s victory over the Phoenix Suns and despite a 27-point display against the Detroit Pistons could not help the team in a 110-125 loss.
The Spurs will need more than just Fox to step up for the remainder of the season and Sean Elliott knows one teammate that can help.
Rookie Castle has taken the league by storm after being picked as the fourth overall pick in the 2024 Draft.
Castle averages 12-3-3 this season but goes under the radar due to the fact he’s playing alongside Wembanyama who has already been mentioned as a potential future GOAT.
Fox reportedly messages Castle explaining that he was a big reason why he joined the Spurs. The youngster has even been likened to Fox for his insane hops and speed.
Castle dropped 12 points in the defeat to the Pistons and while he will be disappointed by the defeat he will be proud of the comparison that was made of him by Elliott.
Speaking on Fan Duel’s Run It Back, he said: “Stephon Castle is a monster. He’s huge when you see him up close, I call him a mini Kawhi, you know, because he’s got that same kind of build, maybe an inch or two shorter, but same type of player.
“Matter of fact, I saw Kawhi his very first practice as a rookie, and I remember looking at him, ‘this guy’s amazing, he’s got big body, long arms, but he couldn’t shoot outside the paint. This kid can do all that, and he’s got that same type of build.”
The 20-year-old shone during the All-Star weekend, despite not winning the Slam Dunk Contest. He was named the MVP of NBA Rising Stars showcase game.
Elliot is a big fan of Castle but he also believes that the Spurs roster as a whole has a bright future.
The loss of Wembanyama is of course a major problem for the remainder of the season but Fox, who made history on his Spurs debut, has been a major pick-up for the side according to Elliott.
“De’Aaron Fox has been already an amazing pickup for us. Just a different type of mindset where you’re fearless down the stretch, the ball is in his hands late in the fourth quarter, you feel good.”
“You feel good about your chances, both he and Chris Paul. But going forward, De’Aaron Fox is a guy that I have no doubt, if he stays in San Antonio, that’s going to be a combination [with Wemby and Castle] that’s going to be extremely difficult to deal with.”
The Spurs will likely be heading for another strong draft pick for next season as they continue to look to build a star-studded line-up that can truly challenge at the top once more.
