The biggest potential
Devin Vassell
Fullback/winger (23 years old)
Drafted by the Spurs in 11th position in 2020, the former Florida State player has established himself with Keldon Johnson (see below) as one of the best players in San Antonio over the last two seasons. Physically strong and particularly skilled at three points (57.7% success rate in preseason), Devin Vassell should take advantage of the spacing created by Victor Wembanyama to shine even more in the coming weeks. It is no coincidence that the Spurs management offered him a staggering contract extension this summer at $146 million over five years (138 million euros). The only question mark is his fragile health since the young guard (or winger) missed 44 matches last year due to a knee injury (18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds in 31.1 minutes) .
The most versatile
Jeremy Sochan
Power forward/leader (20 years)
The Polish-American rookie made a name for himself last season thanks to an original one-handed shot from the free throw line. At the dawn of his second season in the NBA, Gregg Popovich is attempting a unique experiment: playing this tall winger (2.04 m) in a leader role. The objective is above all to take advantage of the defensive qualities of Jeremy Sochan, capable of helping out in all positions, but who also knows how to carry the ball. Last season, he shone with his aggressiveness and his rebounding presence at position 4 (11 points, 5.3 rebounds in 26 minutes).
The most Wemby-compatible
Zach Collins
Interior (25 years)
If Jeremy Sochan is a brawling player, Zach Collins is considered “the craziest” on the team by his teammates. The 25-year-old interior, who will begin his third season with Spurs, should also start as a starter alongside Victor Wembanyama. The Frenchman also considers him his favorite playing partner, the one who is ready to go to the coals under the board to put him in the best conditions. Extended this week for two additional years, Zach Collins (2.11 m) is not just a needy player. He has a reliable shot behind the arc for his size (37.4% success last season), and can also play on the wing.
Zach Collins (Daniel Dunn/Usa today sports via reuters con)
The oldest (at 24 years old)
Keldon Johnson
Winger (24 years old)
It seems crazy to say but at the age of 24, Keldon Johnson is the player on this list with the most seniority in San Antonio (224 matches in four seasons). Top scorer for his team last season with 22 points in 32.7 minutes of play, he no longer necessarily appears as an indisputable starter in the eyes of Gregg Popovich, the fault of a defective defense and a three-point shot far from being perfect on the last exercise (32.9% success). “I am ready to come off the bench,” he explained recently, aware that his role is likely to evolve with the arrival of Victor Wembanyama. He will still start on the wing to start the season.
The most altruistic
Three Jones
Leader (23 years old)
This small size trained at Duke (1.85 m) has the advantage of being the only reliable leader within the Spurs, who do not really seem to count on Devonte’Graham (28 years old) and wishes to take the time to develop young Blake Wesley (20 years old). Tre Jones will have a role as sixth man since Sochan will be the starter at position 1. His coach appreciates his ball handling and his playmaking (6.6 passes on average last season, Spurs’ best total), but would like he is much more regular in shooting (45.9% including only 28.5% at three points). Tre Jones was also extended this summer for two years and 20 million dollars (18.8 million euros).
Tre Jones (Kyle Terada/USA today sports via reuters with)
