After obtaining Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs gained a top-four pick in 2024. Like other Western Conference teams like the Sacramento Kings or Phoenix Suns, the Spurs added talented rookies across both rounds of the draft. However, each rookie has issues that they need to address in the coming season. Here is a question that each of the Spurs’ rookies has to answer during the 2024-25 NBA season.
1 Question For Each San Antonio Spurs Rookie
Stephon Castle
Question: Can Castle Improve His Overall Offensive Game?
The Spurs selected Stephon Castle with the fourth overall pick. The UConn guard comes into the NBA as a tall, athletic combo guard who can lock down opposing players. Not only that, Castle has the size and versatility to guard various positions. At six-foot-six, he can clamp down on any guard or wing who stands before him. Offensively, Castle can serve as a good playmaker for his teammates. He had an impressive showing of his skills at Summer League despite only playing one game. In that game, he played high-level defense, scored 22 points, and had four assists.
While Castle’s defense is top-notch, his offense lags. The biggest question for Castle is whether or not he can improve his overall offensive game. The most apparent area of improvement is his shooting. He shot just 26.7% from deep on 2.2 attempts at UConn. He must improve as a shooter to have a higher ceiling as a player. Secondly, if Castle wants to be the franchise point guard for the Spurs, he needs to prove that he can take his playmaking to the next level to fully embrace the role. While he is a good passer currently, it remains to be seen if he can sustain that play as a full-time playmaker. If Castle can make meaningful improvements, it will go a long way for him to become the point guard of the future for the Spurs.
Harrison Ingram
Question: Can Ingram Translate His Defense to the NBA Level?
The Spurs selected Harrison Ingram with the 48th overall pick. The UNC forward’s skill set is that of a prototypical 3-and-D wing. Ingram can efficiently knock down shots from deep and guard various players across multiple positions. Furthermore, he rebounds well for his position and plays with a high basketball IQ. While he did have an up-and-down performance at Summer League, Ingram did have moments where his skills shined. He shot well from three and was a consistent force on the boards. His effort and talent on defense were there too.
While Ingram’s defense has certainly been a positive for him as a player, it’s unclear if it can translate well to the NBA. So, the question for Ingram this season is whether or not he can translate his defensive skill to the NBA level. This is a potential issue for the forward, as he can struggle against quicker players due to his lack of athleticism. His defense will determine whether or not he can have a long-term career in the league. 3-and-D wings are valuable players in the NBA, and if Ingram’s defense can hold up, he can be a useful piece for San Antonio.
