With the addition of Victor Wembanayma, the San Antonio Spurs are going to be under a microscope for the next decade. But he’s far from the only intriguing piece on the roster. From Jeremy Sochan to Sidy Cissoko, the Spurs are filled to the brim with young talent, most of whom are primed for a leap.
But after Wembanyama, the most interesting player on the roster has to be Devin Vassell, especially now that he’s signed on with the Spurs for the long run. Vassell just inked a five-year, $142 million extension with San Antonio and should be ready to roll for next year.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently listed Vassell as one of the “5 most intriguing NBA players this season.” He’s most intrigued by Vassell’s fit next to
“It’s already easy to picture Vassell fitting into a Victor Wembanyama-centered team as an elite 3-and-D player,” Lowe wrote. “The intrigue lies in how good Vassell can get at the core skills of that role, and whether he can stretch the boundaries of it — becoming the 3-and-D type who can work as a secondary ball handler in playoff-level games.”
He believes Vassell needs to improve more on the defensive end, but also that the Spurs star has all the tools to find success in the NBA.
“The “D” part of the Vassell 3-and-D equation has lagged behind expectations — typical of young players with ambitions of scoring. Vassell is slithery, with a 6-10 wingspan, and has the look of someone who can switch from point guards to power forwards. In some matchups, he can. But bigger wings have bullied him some. Vassell’s attention to detail can wane. He’s a so-so rebounder.
“But the tools are there. Vassell has also put on weight — he said he’s up to 205 pounds — with an eye on becoming a more versatile defender.
“He should get there. If the right parts of his game pop, Vassell could be a core starter on the next great San Antonio team,” Lowe wrote.
If Vassell can blossom into a star next to Wembanyama, the Spurs will be in an even better spot moving forward.
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