No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper helped lead the Spurs to a victory over New Orleans on Monday with a 22-point, six-assist outing, proving that he can be successful in his role even when De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are both available. Still, as Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required) writes, it was evident with all three of those guards were healthy and active for the first time this season that there are still some kinks to work out in the backcourt.
While Harper thrived, Castle showed some rust in his first game back from a hip injury, making just 5-of-15 shots and turning the ball over three times in 23 minutes. Meanwhile, McDonald suggests that Fox seemed “unsure of when to assert himself” — the former All-Star scored just 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting and committed four turnovers.
Still, the trio of Harper, Castle, and Fox combined for 54 points and 18 assists in a three-point victory over the Pelicans, and Harper is optimistic that it won’t be long before all three players are firing on all cylinders.
“This is just a little sample size of what you’re going to see,” the rookie said, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). “When (Castle) really gets back into the groove of things, we’re going to be scary.”
“I’m trying to get adjusted to the game,” Castle added. “Having a little three-week break, I’m trying to get back in rhythm.”
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- Harper’s teammates were impressed by the way that the 19-year-old bounced back from his worst game of the season – a 1-for-11 dud in Cleveland on Friday – to set a new career high in points on Monday, as Orsborn relays. “He has so much skill and maturity to his game,” Fox said of Harper. “It’s a long season. I’ve talked to him about that as well. You’re not going to play well in every single game. It would be asinine to think that.”
- Although head coach Mitch Johnson said this week that Victor Wembanyama is “getting closer” to returning from the calf strain that has sidelined him since November 14, the big man has been ruled out for Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Lakers, as Orsborn writes for The Express-News. The Spurs have taken a cautious approach with Wembanyama’s recovery timeline, and Johnson noted earlier in the week that the NBA Cup game wouldn’t be treated any differently, “medically speaking.”
- While many of the Spurs’ cornerstone players – including Wembanyama, Harper, and Castle – are in their early 20s, the team also has a handful of veterans in their 30s – such as Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, and Bismack Biyombo – providing leadership in the locker room. In a story for The Express-News (subscription required), McDonald explores how those two generations of players have meshed and the mentorship that the vets have provided. “At times, the older ones are barking at the younger ones like older dogs do puppies,” Johnson said. “Other times, the bigger personalities step up and command the room. Sometimes, you have this electric energy from these young guys. It’s a good balance.”
It’s concerning the NBA rigs drafts and steers players to the Spurs, only to have the face of the NBA crumble and become injury-prone. Who would have thought a skinny 7’4 gumbo would get beat up in this soft league.. Silver has a plan B?
Looking at their cap, would they be willing to part with Keldon Johnson who is a FA after 2027 ($17.5M) for maybe KCP? ($21.1M player option next year) which likely he’ll exercise.
Spurs have the Hawks pick this year which is currently 14th, they could attach that along with Johnson to acquire someone who is going to help them in a tough and competitive West. Johnson’s having a good year as well. 13 PPG in 24 MPG off the bench with 6.5 RPG.
Keldon is a good guy to have in that locker room. I would rather package sochan and olynk and picks and upgrade wing.
Yeah Sochan would be an attractive piece for a team that needs defense and is surrounded by shooters. I could see him being dealt to a team like Miami, who have shooters and good interior defenders.
I don’t get it – 26 yo Keldon is WAY better than 33 yo KCP at this point in their careers.
Agree that since the Spurs are using Champagnie as the starting SF Keldon might be a trade piece, but at his price can they get anyone better? Whoever they get, would he get enough pt to actually help them with all the young guards plus Fox?
The Spurs have so many players that score in double figures (8) that dividing the minutes is already an issue – My guess is they only make a trade if Wemby gets hurt again, and then for a better C than Olynyk.
Nobody isn’t saying Keldon >>> KCP. I’m talking about roster construction, Keldon doesn’t hit the 3 point shot well (32%), and he’s going to get paid elsewhere. He’s a solid 3rd/4th option on a team, but giving the way the Spurs are constructed for the future with giving Fox an extension and the Wemby RFA deal looming, KJ wouldn’t be part of the team’s plans. This allows them to get another quality wing defender, with championship experience, granted his 3PT shot making is down last few years, but with Wemby, Fox, Castle, Harper getting majority of the shot attempts, he won’t need to do anything but hit a bucket when he’s open. Have to think long term in this situation, both financially and championship window wise.