The San Antonio Spurs received devastating news last week when it was announced that Victor Wembanyama would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
As if that weren’t enough, the franchise was dealt another blow when it was revealed that Gregg Popovich would not return to the sideline for the rest of the season. With the Spurs already struggling to stay in playoff contention, these back-to-back setbacks all but sealed their fate for this campaign.
Now, the focus shifts from competing for a postseason spot to experimenting with different lineups and developing young talent in preparation for Wembanyama’s return next season. Here are three key adjustments the Spurs should consider for the remainder of the season.
Testing a Three-Guard Lineup with Chris Paul and De’Aaron Fox
With Chris Paul and De’Aaron Fox still in the lineup, the Spurs should experiment with a three-guard rotation by adding Stephon Castle to the mix. Some speculated that CP3 could be a buyout candidate or that Fox might opt for early surgery on his hand, but as long as both are active, San Antonio should take advantage.
Allowing Paul, Fox, and Castle to share the court could provide valuable insights into their offensive chemistry while giving Castle more experience in a dynamic backcourt role. CP3’s elite playmaking could also help unlock Castle’s potential, giving the Spurs another ball-handling option moving forward.
Utilizing Jeremy Sochan as a Small-Ball Center
With Wembanyama sidelined, now is the perfect opportunity to experiment with Jeremy Sochan at the five. The Spurs previously tried using him as a point guard, and while that experiment had mixed results, testing his versatility as a small-ball center could pay off in the long run.
Sochan’s defensive versatility and high-energy playstyle make him an intriguing option at the five, especially in a fast-paced lineup. Giving him reps in this role could provide a new dimension to San Antonio’s approach next season, particularly when they need to go smaller and faster against certain opponents.
Expanding Stephon Castle’s Offensive Role
As the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft, Stephon Castle has already shown flashes of potential, but the Spurs need to expand his offensive role in Wembanyama’s absence.
Castle has the skill set to be an effective secondary ball-handler, and increasing his offensive responsibilities now could accelerate his growth. By giving him more on-ball opportunities, the Spurs can help him develop into a more complete offensive weapon heading into his second year.
While losing Wembanyama and Popovich effectively ends the Spurs’ playoff hopes this season, it opens the door for valuable experimentation and player development. If San Antonio embraces this opportunity to tweak its lineup and explore new strategies, they could set themselves up for a stronger, more adaptable squad when Wemby returns in 2025.
The remainder of the season will be about growth, adjustments, and finding answers—all with an eye toward building a championship contender around Wembanyama in the near future.
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