Category: Spurs News

Dwyane Wade sees big things in San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s future

‘You have to watch him play the game to really appreciate it,’ said Wade.

Former Miami Heat champion wing Dwyane Wade has seen the future — and the future is San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama.  After the US National Team won gold against a competitive French National Team, Wade shared some thoughts about Wemby’s Team France and the future of Olympic basketball via Sports Illustrated’s Scott Salomon.

“The game is growing around the world, they (France) will be back in four years,” said Wade. “It is the U.S.’s game, but this is not 1992 anymore. It’s a different day,” Wembanyama in particular caught the former Heatle’s eye in international play in Paris. “The way he shoots. The way he throws down the lob, we are going to see him on this stage for a long time,” said Wade of Wemby’s play for Team France.

“He is the future of the NBA, and he is the future of international basketball,” added the three-time champion boldly. “What your eyes see, your eyes shall believe … You have to watch him play the game to really appreciate it.”

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San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama warns the basketball world after France wins silver in Paris

In a word, goosebumps.

In his first year in the NBA, star San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama managed to win Rookie of the Year and make All-Defensive first team, a new league record. He would spend the next summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping the French National Team win silver and being competitive for gold despite a dominant Team USA.

Is Wemby cowed by the resistance he is starting to feel as he spreads his wings at the NBA level? Truth be told — anything but. In fact, after Team France won silver, the French forward had a warning for his peers on the basketball court.

“I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years,” said Wemby ominously via the San Antonio Express-News’ Mike Finger.

Asked if he meant in the NBA or at FIBA events, he added the coup de grace — “Everywhere.”

In a word, goosebumps. The NBA and the world of basketball those players inhabit is full to the brim with such claims. But we believe Wemby can back it up.

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Austin Spurs reportedly hosting open tryouts

Do you have what it takes to play in the G League?

The Austin Spurs have themselves a new head coach (former New York Knicks Director of Player Development Scott King, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski), but depending on what it is you, dear reader, elect to do with the following news, they might also have a new player.

According to recent reporting from KENS 5 reporter Jeff Garcia, the Austin Spurs are hosting open tryouts. The tryouts will be on this coming Saturday, Sept. 7, at St. Michael’s Athletic Center. You can find that at 3000 Barton Creek Blvd, Austin, Texas, 78735. Should you make a go of it, you will need to be there by 8:30 in the morning that day to check in.

You will also need to register ahead of the event (click here to do so), as well as providing all the requested information in the requisite paperwork.

At the event, you can expect to be assessed through drills run by the coaching staff, and as many as three prospects will be named as eligible to join the Austin Spurs straining camp.

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Shams: San Antonio Spurs return to national TV on Christmas Day

The San Antonio Spurs had one of their Christmas gifts come a bit early, it seems

The San Antonio Spurs had one of their Christmas gifts come a bit early, it seems. According to the Athletic reporter Shams Charania, the Spurs are one of 10 teams that will be playing national TV games on Christmas Day 2024.

And San Antonio may have the marquee contest at that as they face the New York Knicks on the road in the Madison Square Garden for their holiday contest this winter. The majority of the rest of the tilts being played on Christmas involve Western Conference teams, though the reigning champion Boston Celtics will also face off against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden,

The rest of the West Christmas Day matchups include the Golden State Warriors hosting the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Dallas Mavericks, and the Denver Nuggets at the Phoenix Suns.

Just being included in the five Christmas Day games again is a honor for the Spurs franchise — and a huge sign the team is headed back towards relevancy after a rare dip into a rebuild’s obscurity.

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San Antonio Spurs veteran point guard Chris Paul sells West Coast mansion

Evidently, Paul does not plan on kicking it on the West Coast again any time soon.

Evidently, newest San Antonio Spurs floor general Chris Paul does not plan on kicking it on the West Coast again any time soon. The veteran point guard reportedly sold his Encino-based mansion, according to some recent reporting from TMZ.

And while that does not make clear anything much about his future plans in his new home, given the stage of career CP3 is at as one of the league’s elder statesmen, its duration with any particular ball club probably ought to be measured by contract length over earnings potential. The mansion reportedly went for a cool $15 million, and features a salt water pool, and home theater to boot.

It also has wine cellar, a home gym, a multi-sport court, and plenty more stunning amenities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fs9eGys83/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=66fac586-7dec-42b9-80a7-34f273c14539

Take a look at the Instagram post embedded above to get a better idea of Paul’s sumptuous digs.

Especially if you happen to have the money to recreate such an expansive manse.

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Spurs’ held interest in rising Indiana Pacers guard

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly held interest in acquiring Andrew Nembhard from the Indiana Pacers.

The San Antonio Spurs signed Chris Paul to a one-year $11 million deal. The veteran point guard is known for his ability to help elevate young talent and is also a connsumate professional. His presence on the Spurs roster will undoubtedly help the development of both Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle in the upcoming season.

However, before they added Paul to their roster this summer, the Spurs reportedly held an interest in acquiring Andrew Nembhard from the Indiana Pacers. Nembhard enjoyed a strong 2023-24 season, especially in the playoffs, where he averaged 14.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds.

Nembhard recently signed a three-year $59 million extension with the Pacers. However, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, San Antonio could move for the impressive guard in the future.

“The Spurs will be one team to monitor for Nembhard moving forward, after San Antonio registered trade interest in Nembhard this offseason,” Fischer reported. “Before San Antonio brought Chris Paul to organize the Spurs’ offense around Victor Wembanyama, sources said San Antonio called various teams around the league exploring veteran guards who have still yet to enter their primes.”

Due to Paul’s short-term deal with the Spurs and the franchise still lacking their point guard of the future, there’s still a chance that Nembhard will emerge as a target in the coming years. Of course, that may depend on how Castle develops as a playmaker and whether he shows upsides as a lead guard or two guard.

For now, though, Paul will be leading the Spurs offense, and that will undoubtedly help the franchise expedite the development of its young stars.

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Blake Wesley gives thoughts on Spurs adding future Hall of Famer Chris Paul

Young Blake Wesley gives his thoughts and reaction to the San Antonio Spurs bringing in future Hall of Famer Chris Paul.

The San Antonio Spurs have had one of the more aggressive offseasons as they look to help Victor Wembanyama take the next step in his development to lead the Spurs forward.

One key addition is future Hall of Famer Chris Paul who will look to help the Spurs move forward. The 19-year veteran has been one of the best point guards in the history of the league and has a clear understanding of how to help teams move forward.

Young Blake Wesley figures to be one of the beneficiaries of Paul’s presence. Wesley is still looking to find his place in the league and stated this in an interview with HoopsHype about Paul’s addition:

 I’m excited, man. He’s a great dude. I just worked out. We just worked out with him not too long ago at Summer League. Yeah. So it’s good. He’s a great dude. He’s talking to me, coaching me, telling me to go handle the ball. So I’m enjoying it so far, and I can’t wait to learn and get the knowledge. Really take what he has. So I’m excited.

Paul played 58 games with the Golden State Warriors in the 2023-24 season averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 assists coming off the bench. He will likely assume a starting role in San Antonio and look to get the Spurs trending in the right direction again.

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San Antonio Spurs shut down Stephon Castle for remainder of Las Vegas Summer League

Astute fans of the San Antonio Spurs may have noticed an absence of top 2024 NBA draft pick Stephon Castle from recent summer league action.

Astute fans of the San Antonio Spurs may have noticed an absence of top 2024 NBA draft pick Stephon Castle from recent summer league action. And that is due to the former University of Connecticut standout hurting his wrist in a tumble in recent Sin City action.

“It sucks to sit out, but I was happy to see my teammates play well,” said Castle via the San Antonio Express-News’ Tom Orsborne. The injury, which is reportedly not serious, will still have the Spurs’ No. 4 pick sidelined for the remainder of summer league. “I feel like they have my best interests in mind,” said Castle.

“I feel like it’s smart to take the caution route,” he added of the injury, which came in his contest vs. the Portland Trail Blazers and former UConn teammate, Blazers big man Donovan Clingan.

“Summer League is fun,” said the Georgia native. “The environment, all the teams are here, and you want to play your best brand of basketball.”

“I wouldn’t say it is a lot of pressure, but you can definitely feel the energy in the arena.

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Spurs bring back young big men Charles Bassey, Sandro Mamukelashvili

The San Antonio Spurs will bring back young big men Charles Bassey and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

The San Antonio Spurs are continuing to build their roster for the 2024-25 season. They were able to make some solid moves thus far with the additions of veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes and now will bring back a couple of young big men.

Charles Bassey, picked up before the 2022-23 season after a season with the Philadelphia 76ers, played 19 games in the 2023-24 season and averaged 3.3 points and 4.0 rebounds along with 0.9 blocks before his season ended due to a torn ACL in December.

The Spurs initially waived Bassey due to his non-guaranteed contract, but they will now bring him back on a 2-year $2.2 million deal.

Along with bringing back Bassey, the Spurs will bring back Sandro Mamukelashvili on a 1-year $2.2 million deal. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 46 games in his first full season in San Antonio. He was acquired after he was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.

The Spurs will now look ahead to the future and continue to grow as a team around superstar Victor Wembanyama.

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San Antonio Spurs beat Atlanta Hawks 79-76 without Stephon Castle

Let’s take a look at the best photos from the Spurs summer league win.

The San Antonio Spurs have made it two in a row, with the Sin City Spurs picking up their second consecutive and overall win of the NBA’s 2024 Las Vegas Summer League vs. the Atlanta Hawks 79-76. That they did it without prized rookie Stephon Castle on the court is all the more impressive.

The Summer Spurs were led by backup shooting guard D’moi Hodge (13 points, 2 rebounds, and as many assists and steals with 1 block), with point guard Jamaree Bouyea (12 points, 3 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and big man Nathan Mensah (10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and as many blocks) also having good games.

The Spurs next face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, July 16.

Let’s take a look at the best photos from the Spurs summer league win.

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