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In just one summer, the San Antonio Spurs went from one of the worst teams in the league to one of the most interesting. Obviously, drafting a talent like Victor Wembanyama will do that, but nonetheless, the Spurs are set to have a bunch more eyes on them this season than they did last year.
Wembanyama is set to take over as the face of the franchise, meaning he will undoubtedly be in the starting lineup. Gregg Popovich has stated that Zach Collins will start at the center spot next to Wembanyama. And Devin Vassell, a rising young talent, and Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio’s rookie last year, seem like fair bets to take up two other spots.
Pounding the Rock’s Marilyn Dubinski recently wrote about the Spurs’ starting five dilemma, weighing the options of Tre Jones or Keldon Johnson as the team’s final starter.
“With the main part of the Spurs roster likely set, the most debated question has been who will be in the Spurs starting lineup on day 1,” Dubinski wrote. “Top overall pick Victor Wembanyama will surely start at power forward (he is not ready to bang with NBA centers down low), and Gregg Popovich has already said that Zach Collins will be the starting center, so assuming those two facts remain true, then what? Someone from last season’s main starting lineup will have to move to the bench, be it Vassell, Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson or Jeremy Sochan.
“Vassell’s job might be the safest if only because of that aforementioned upside and him being the best shooter of the bunch. Sochan also shares that potential upside trait and can play multiple positions despite being labeled as a power forward, so it might come down to Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson, who will both be returning on new contracts. If the Spurs feel they need a true point guard on the floor, Jones is the man. If they want to get experimental and just want their five best players on the court regardless of position, Johnson would start. Both seem unselfish enough to accept 6th man roles, so it will be fascinating to find out what direction they go.”
Who should the Spurs start next season if it comes down to it – Jones or Johnson?
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