Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2023-24 participant critiques! The collection will have a look at the 15 gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts (so no two-way gamers as a result of we noticed so little of them this yr, and no Doug McDermott). Take pleasure in!
Devin Vassell
2023-24 stats: 68 video games, 19.5 factors, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 37.2 3FG%
Contract Standing: 5 years, $135 million remaining
Age: 23
Coming into the 2023-24 season, everybody knew about Devin Vassell’s potential, however he nonetheless had a couple of issues to show. After solely enjoying in 38 video games final season on account of microscopic knee surgical procedure, not solely did he want to point out he may keep wholesome, however he had additionally simply signed a rookie contract extension that can make him the best paid Spur ever (at the very least for now). Whereas it’s not truthful to place the onus on him for that (it’s simply what the job pays these days, and it was nonetheless a good deal for either side), it means the Spurs consider in him, so he wanted to again up their religion on the court docket, and for essentially the most half, he did simply that.
After lacking 5 of the primary 14 video games with an abductor pressure, he performed in 59 of their subsequent 60 video games. As was the case with everybody else, there have been some rising pains whereas studying to play alongside Victor Wembanyama, however Vassell ultimately introduced all of it collectively. In his ultimate 33 video games, he averaged 21.3 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 5 assists whereas taking pictures nearly 40% from three on over six makes an attempt per sport. Regardless of the comparatively small pattern measurement from the earlier season, he confirmed his flashes of being a three-level scorer who can create for himself and others have been no fluke, and he was not afraid to take (and make) tough photographs. He additionally made strides on protection, studying to make use of his huge 6’10” wingspan as an attribute.
Total, he was one of many few gamers the Spurs may flip to when the offense obtained slowed down and so they wanted a bucket to get going once more, but when there may be one principal critique, it’s that he was vulnerable to the occasional dangerous stretch that typically lasted for a number of video games and he struggled to get out of. Regardless of being the Spurs’ second main scorer, he had six video games the place he scored in single digits, together with in consecutive video games at one level in January. Regardless, it was a profitable fourth season, and he nonetheless has room to develop and get even higher.
Trying Forward
Vassell may nonetheless be a bit extra constant on each ends, however he confirmed that he can lead an offense at the same time as a principal point of interest and be referred to as upon when the group wants a lift. His physique additionally held up quite a bit higher this season, however it could assist ease some issues about his long-term sturdiness if he could make all of it the way in which to the tip of the season after he was shut down for the ultimate seven video games with a stress response in his foot (particularly if the Spurs have postseason aspirations).
That being stated, he has established himself as a core piece of the long run whereas nonetheless having but to achieve his ceiling. He needs to be the following closest factor to untouchable after Wemby because the Spurs enter an offseason with two high 8 picks and limitless prospects. Whereas the media (or at the very least Vegas) will proceed to tie each notable participant out there through commerce to the Spurs, we will belief that PATFO will do their due diligence and never overreact.
However even when they do find yourself making a transfer, odds are slim-to-none that it’ll embody Vassell, who shall be coming into his contract extension beginning subsequent season. He and Wemby have the potential to be one of many league’s most spectacular 1-2 punches, and if they’ll get extra offensive assist round them within the beginning lineup (whether or not it’s through inside enchancment or modifications), they’ll face fewer double-teams and be a good greater problem for opponents going ahead.
High Efficiency
December 15 vs. Lakers: 36 factors, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5-10 from three
Remaining Grade: A-
Up subsequent: Victor Wembanyama
Earlier Critiques:
Sidy Cissoko
Charles Bassey
Devonte’ Graham
Dominick Barlow
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Blake Wesley
Cedi Osman
Julian Champagnie
Zach Collins
Malaki Branham
Keldon Johnson
Tre Jones
Jeremy Sochan
