Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2024-25 participant evaluations! The sequence will have a look at the gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts and who performed consequential minutes and/or a significant position (so no two-way gamers as a result of we hardly noticed them this 12 months, and no gamers who had been traded away).
Stephon Fort
2024-25 stats: 26.7 MPG, 14.7 factors, 4.1 assists, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3FG%
Contract Standing: 3 years, $32.2 remaining (2-year workforce possibility)
Age: 20
The 2024 NBA Draft Class was dismissed as a weak crop of prospects. Time will inform if that’s correct. It looks like the Spurs discovered a diamond in that tough. Stephon Fort gained the 2024-25 Rookie of the 12 months and established himself as a key piece of San Antonio’s core shifting ahead. There was no higher indication of how the group feels about Fort than their insistence on retaining him out of the De’Aaron Fox commerce. Fort is a key a part of his future.
He backed it up together with his play on the courtroom. Fort didn’t all the time appear like a rookie on the market. He was the Spurs’ most bodily downhill attacking presence. He was one in every of San Antonio’s extra impactful defenders together with his physicality on the level of assault. He confirmed flashes of constructing superior reads with the ball in his fingers and the power to get buckets within the mid-range. One thing needs to be mentioned for his availability and willingness to play a number of roles. Fort appeared in 81 video games and went backwards and forwards between the beginning lineup and a bench position.
Fort brings one other mainstream face to the Spurs. The “Space 51” duo with Victor Wembanyama is an iconic nickname. He has the ROY clout, practically gained the NBA Dunk Contest, and placed on a present within the Rising Stars match, carrying his workforce to an All-Star Sport look. If he can proceed to develop, the Spurs might have an actual All-Star (no offense, Adam Silver) on their fingers.
Wanting forward
Fort looks like he’s in for the lengthy haul. San Antonio can construct an elite protection constructed round Victor Wembanyama and Fox. Fort suits in seamlessly as a bodily level of assault defender who can guard wings and ball-handlers. If his offense catches up, the Spurs may have a principally homegrown “massive three” on their fingers.
Fort confirmed flashes of shot-making means this season, however his jumper is much too inconsistent to be relied upon as a go-to scorer. Regardless of how sturdy a driver you’re, groups can play you off the courtroom if you happen to’re not a risk to shoot, particularly in a playoff setting. Fort’s ball dealing with may very well be tightened as much as lower down on turnovers, particularly if the Spurs need him to play on the ball extra. His physique management and energy will take him a great distance offensively, however capturing and creativity can take him to a different stage.
This offseason will present precisely how the Spurs really feel about Fort. If they’re certainly gamers within the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, Fort will doubtless be an enormous a part of these conversations. Milwaukee would doubtless insist he’s within the deal. If talks break down, due to that, it’s secure to name Fort untouchable. If that’s the case, San Antonio ought to search for methods to get Fort into the beginning lineup subsequent season, defining his position as a core a part of their future.
Prime efficiency
February seventh vs. Charlotte Hornets, career-high 33 factors.
Closing grade: B+
Up subsequent: Devin Vassell
Earlier Critiques:
Bismack Biyombo, Charles Bassey, Malaki Branham
Blake Wesley
Sandro Mamukelashvili
De’Aaron Fox
Julian Champagnie
Jeremy Sochan
Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Chris Paul
