Spurs Starting Lineup After Paul Signing

01/07/2024

When the San Antonio Spurs drafted Stephon Castle fourth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the assumption was that he would be the point guard of the future. After signing Chris Paul to a one-year, $11 million deal, Castle is still expected to be the PG of the future, but the present will belong to Paul.

That doesn't mean they can't coexist. Castle has made it clear that he wants to play point guard, but for now, Paul will show him the ropes.

They don't call him "The Point God" for no reason!

spurs starting lineup after paul signing

With Paul in town, Castle will not be the primary facilitator as long as the veteran is on the floor. Expect staggered lineups so Castle can get some on-ball experience while Paul rests, but to start each game, expect Victor Wemabmayama to tip the ball to CP3.

Assuming the Spurs don't make another blockbuster move, here is what the starting five will look like next season for the Silver and Black.

Point Guard - Chris Paul

Chris Paul is one of the greatest lead guards of all time and has served as an on-court mentor to current superstars Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Aside from his last season with the Golden State Warriors, Paul has always been a starter, and don't expect that to change this season.

Paul may have lost a step on the defensive end, but he is still a serviceable defender and shot 37.1 percent from three last year. However, expect him to very much be a pass-first guard looking to feed Wembanyama down low.

Shooting Guard - Stephon Castle

Castle was drafted to play point guard, but the Spurs have Paul in the lineup now. Still, expect him to be a secondary facilitator who will shine in the midrange and when it comes to getting to the rim.

Castle's shot needs work, so playing off-ball will allow him to get some reps in. With Wembanyama down low and an established shooter in Devin Vassell on the wings, Castle should be able to benefit from plenty of open looks.

While Paul has made nine All-Defensive Teams in his career, expect Castle to be the day-one point-of-attack defender. He can guard multiple positions and is expected to be an impact player on that end right away.

Small Forward - Devin Vassell

Last year, Jeremy Sochan played point guard to start the season. While it didn't go well, he did get reps in as a facilitator and became more comfortable with the ball in his hands. Wembanyama will likely play on-ball more as well, and with two aspiring point guards in Paul and Castle on the floor, Vassell will serve as the spot-up shooter.

Last season, Vassell had to take and make tough shots and create for himself off the dribble, resulting in a field goal percentage of 47.2 and a 37.2 mark from deep.

Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

With two pass-first players on the floor, Vassell will play more off-ball and will continue to grow as a shooting threat, and will likely be the best volume scorer on the team not from France.

Power Forward - Jeremy Sochan

Last year, Sochan's stint at point guard resulted in him creating for himself off the dribble. This year, expect him to be the ultimate combination of Dennis Rodman and Aaron Gordon.

On defense, he is a true disruptor who can bring tenacity and physicality and should be able to be an elite rebounder, keeping Wembanyama out of the paint for 40 minutes a game.

On offense, he can stay in the dunker's spot or cut to the corner, assuming he works on his outside shot. In the starting five, he and Paul likely will get shots up the least out of anyone else, but that's perfectly fine. Sochan is not an elite scorer by any stretch of the imagination, but he provides absolute chaos on both ends and doesn't mind being an instigator, which will pair perfectly with Paul.

Center - Victor Wembanyama

The rule for the other starters should be pretty simple: unless you're wide open, look to give Wembanayama the ball. Last season, he proved that he can create for himself anywhere on the court.

Driving through traffic? Pulling up from three? Catching the ball in the paint and going up with it? No problem! He should be the target that the other starters are looking for.

With three passers on the floor and multiple floor spacers, Wembanyama should have plenty of space to go to work down low and expect Castle and Paul (and Jones!) to feed passes into the pain until the cows come home.

Oh, and on defense he is already the best player in the league. Assuming he improves on that end, even marginally, he will emerge as one of the best two-way players in the league. Expect MVP ballots to have his name on them.

OTHER NEWS