Projected Roles After Summer League
With the 2024 NBA Summer League complete, let's look at some projected roles for some of the Spurs players who participated in Summer League.
Before looking at projected roles for the Spurs players who participated in Summer League, it’s important to keep in mind the Spurs only have so many minutes to provide for the players who will make their 10-man rotation.
Here’s my early prediction of what the Spurs’ starting lineup and second unit could look like:
Chris Paul, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama
Tre Jones, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins
There could be competition in training camp and the preseason for Champagnie’s minutes from players like Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, or perhaps those minutes could be split among two players. We’ll have a better idea once the preseason arrives. The 9 players who are likely locks to get a place in the rotation are Paul, Vassell, Barnes, Sochan, Wemby, Jones, Castle, Johnson, and Collins.
Knowing this, let’s look at projected roles for the Spurs players who participated in Summer League.
Stephon Castle
Sidy Cissoko
Jamaree Bouyea (two-way player)
Harrison Ingram (if he signs a two-way contract)
Stephon Castle
Projected Role: Starter or Second Unit
Summer League Stats: 3 games, 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.3 turnovers, 1 foul
Though Castle’s Summer League run was cut short due to a wrist injury, he showed enough to make the rotation already, and Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich said as much on air during a Spurs broadcast.
Whether Castle starts or comes off the bench will be the question for his place in the rotation. If the Spurs elect to bring Sochan off the bench, Castle could start on the wing alongside Vassell to provide his perimeter defense, while Vassell and Barnes could keep outside shooting and spacing on the floor. If the Spurs start Sochan and Barnes together, then Castle will likely end up coming off the bench, where he would get to share more ball handling duties alongside Jones.
Sidy Cissoko
Projected Role: Wing/Forward Depth Option or Austin
Stats: 6 games, 6.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1 steal, 2.7 turnovers, 2.5 fouls | 6.3 shots (21% accuracy), 2.7 threes (13% accuracy), 6 free throw attempts (64% accuracy)
Though Cissoko was able to show his defensive size and tenacity in Summer League, as well as his passing ability, his offensive game creating, finishing, and shooting still seems like he would be behind Keldon for the backup-4 role, or behind Branham and Champagnie at the backup wing spot.
The Spurs could have Cissoko available on the bench as a wing or forward option for depth when needed, but if multiple games go by where he’s not getting on the floor, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up in Austin to continue to get minutes and develop his game.
Jamaree Bouyea
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