Coaching camp is days away and San Antonio Spurs have already got dangerous information. The crew introduced on Friday that Devin Vassell will miss the beginning of the 2024-25 season, recovering from foot surgical procedure.
Vassell missed the final eight video games of the 2023-24 season to endure surgical procedure for a stress response of the the third metatarsal head in his proper foot. He’ll nonetheless take part in non-contact basketball actions as he ramps up for the brand new season. The Spurs count on his standing to be up to date on November 1st, which means he’ll miss a minimum of the primary 5 video games of the season.
It is a main blow to the Spurs who relied on Vassell’s shot creation and scoring alongside Victor Wembanyama final season. Vassell performed 68 video games final season by which he averaged 19.5 factors and 4.1 assists whereas taking pictures 47.2% from the sphere and 37.2% from deep. This season marks the primary 12 months of Vassell’s 5-year $146 million extension – a contract indicating the Spurs excessive hopes within the fifth 12 months guard.
The Spurs additionally reported that each Zach Collins and Charles Bassey can be prepared for the beginning of the brand new season. Collins is cleared for all basketball actions coming off a dislocated shoulder, whereas Bassey is in a “progressive ramp up” after tearing his left ACL final December. These two gamers can be vying for the Spurs backup middle function.
With Vassell lacking the primary few video games, there’s a new opening within the Spurs beginning lineup. Wembanyama and veteran addition Chris Paul are close to locks for the primary 5, whereas Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson are robust contenders for the final three spots. Don’t rely out the rookie, Stephon Fort, who made a very good impression with San Antonio within the Summer season League.
The Vassell harm additionally leaves a chance for a number of younger gamers to step up and earn minutes. Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and Sidy Cissoko had been as soon as thought of to be on the fringes of a 10-man rotation. Now they discover themselves preventing for a spot within the top-10 throughout coaching camp.
The lack of Vassell for even a brief interval is an enormous blow to San Antonio’s prospects. It’s subsequent man up for the Silver and Black as they give the impression of being to fill within the gap left by one in all their greatest scorers. If nothing else, the harm opens up loads of coaching camp intrigue. Spurs followers can look ahead to studying extra on the crew’s media day subsequent Monday, September thirtieth, with camp starting instantly after.
