Why the Spurs are ready to make a bold tweak around Victor Wembanyama

After Victor Wembanyama returned to Frost Center for his first game in nearly four months, the fourth-year center was asked about his polarizing gravity. Not necessarily his adjustments or adaptations to how opposing teams build defensive game plans around him, but what his presence does for his teammates — particularly ball-handlers. 

“It’s the key to our offense,” Wembanyama said. “We have so much talent and know where to put ourselves to give the other guys space. The key is being ready to score. It’s easy when you space to forget that you’re also playing, but you need to be a threat to bring the defense with you.”

The distinction Wemby makes is important. While nothing is ironclad and the preseason is notorious for experimentation, the Spurs’ willingness to move toward a three-guard lineup is palpable. Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox, who had popped up on the injury report last week due to general soreness, was held out of the past two preseason games vs. Atlanta and Phoenix, but at some point Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper will all share the floor to start games. Head coach Mitch Johnson isn’t one to divulge more information than he’s required to in public settings, but there’s only so much grandstanding one can do in early October. 

It’s a bold tweak from a team that finished third in offensive and defensive efficiency last season, made it all the way to the Finals and held sizable leads in each of their losses. You could argue that the Spurs, who essentially kept the same team and added Tobias Harris, are in a perfect spot and don’t need to overreact to their Finals heartbreak. This is a young group with a young coach in place that has an incredibly bright future ahead of them, injuries and drastic changes notwithstanding. 

You could also, however, understand why Johnson would seek an extra organizer on the floor, especially given how chaotic San Antonio’s fourth quarters were during the playoffs. The Spurs struggled to put games away in the final frame, often relying on individual moments of brilliance (or Wembyisms at the opportune time). In theory, that triumvirate brings different elements of their roster together and should maximize their offensive approach, both in the half-court and in transition. All three are capable of creating plays for others, albeit to varying degrees. There’s also the notion of blending Fox’s speed, Castle’s physicality and Harper’s combination of both. Such a unique concoction, in conjunction with Wembanyama’s sheer presence and quality floor spacers — along with Harris’ vast experience — should give the Spurs a clear run toward another deep playoff run. 

But therein lies the challenge. In the modern game, which emphasizes spacing and efficient outside shooting, none of Fox, Harper or Castle have been consistent enough. Fox and Castle shot 33% from distance last season and Harper shot 34%. Yes, Fox and Harper connected on north of 40% of corner attempts, but neither generated nearly enough volume to warrant much defensive attention. It’s also not a lineup that has seen much time together on the floor — or had success — with San Antonio being outscored by 21 points in 25 regular-season minutes and 26 in 44 postseason minutes. 

Still, there’s enough intrigue to understand just why Johnson feels comfortable taking the plunge. There’s an increased importance on creating paint touches league-wide, given the propensity of defenses to collapse and the potential of drive-and-kick chances. What the likes of Harper and Castle lack in outside shooting, they more than make up for in downhill aggression and navigation, among the best in playoff points per paint touch, ahead of skilled centers like Alperen Şengün and Karl-Anthony Towns. The duo are also excellent rebounders at their position, with a knack for attacking angles without the ball with the same verve as they do with it. (Castle is a 96th percentile offensive rebounder, 76th for Harper. Fox is closer to league average.)

All roads lead back to Wemby. Through two preseason games, the Frenchman is second in attempted above-the-break 3s, per Second Spectrum, allowing Harper and Castle to roam underneath the arc and probe defenses. There have also been more frequent possessions with Wembanyama being a creator, further using his gravity to afford cuts from guards. Harper, while an infrequent cutter, was elite in that regard and Castle scored 1.29 points per possession last season. Given that both Fox and Harper are great around the rim (89th and 99th percentile respectively), the easier things can become for Castle — who tends to overcomplicate at times — the better the trio will be overall. 

“It’s a delicate ecosystem,” Johnson said. “We are well equipped when we have the proper spacing, pass the ball and are greedy for the right shots to pose problems to the defense. We just have to continue to find solutions because these teams in this league are very good and are going to take away first or second options a lot of times. That’s going to test our discipline and execution.”

Starting three guards would presumably slide Harris to power forward once he returns from a left calf strain. In the meantime, it appears that Devin Vassell will occupy that position. Johnson spoke highly of Vassell’s leadership and growth, putting a great deal of faith in his ability to handle larger matchups. But this also would indicate that Julian Champagnie, who started 68 regular-season games and all 23 playoff games, would come off the bench. It’s nothing short of a luxury for a fully healthy Spurs group to boast the spacing of those two in the second unit, but it’s an adjustment nonetheless. 

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“No expectations,” Champagnie told Yahoo Sports. “Whatever coach thinks is best for this team is what I think is best for this team. I’d run through a wall for all 18 guys here and the coaching staff. That’s how I’m keeping it.”

Such a shift requires strong team chemistry, which San Antonio has in spades. Being that close to achieving basketball immortality and falling short will only further motivate this group to get back to that point. The mental fortitude required to get through what is shaping up to be another grueling marathon is significant, but their attempt to zig while others zag could better illuminate their path to June. 

“There’s obviously a tweak this year,” Champagnie said. “We’re going to be hunted, so it’s a little different. But one game at a time, one day at a time, don’t get too ahead of ourselves. Don’t dwell on the past. Win a couple, lose a couple and just stay in the moment.”