After the rollercoaster ride of the 2023-24 season, the San Antonio Spurs are back this season. Hopes grew after the highly anticipated arrival of rookie Victor Wembanyama, following in the footsteps of legends like Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Despite, this they ended their last season in the 57th overall and 48th in the NBA.
The season began with a promising 3-2 record, but things quickly unraveled. After losing 18 games, the franchise left their fans disheartened and searching for answers. Despite, Wembanyama’s standout performances, the Spurs found themselves out of playoff contention for the fifth straight year after a March 7 loss to the Sacramento Kings. However, with the lessons learned from the past and acquiring new talents, the Spurs are ready with a fresh start for the 2024-24 season.
Preseason Schedule
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Get ready for an action-packed preseason as the Spurs face off against some exciting opponents before the regular season. Here are the key dates, venues, opponents, and times as per the NBA.
Date and Day | Opponents | Time (CT) | Venue |
Monday, October 7 | vs Oklahoma City | 7:00 pm | Frost Bank Center |
Wednesday, October 9 | vs Orlando Magic | 7:00 pm | Frost Bank Center |
Saturday, October 12 | vs Utah Jazz | 7:00 pm | Frost Bank Center |
Tuesday, October 15 | @ Miami Heat | 6:30 pm | Kaseya Center |
Thursday, October 17 | @ Houston Rockets | 7:00 pm | Toyota Center |
These games will be critical for the team to build chemistry and fine-tune their strategies before the season opener.
San Antonio Spurs 2024-25 roster:
The Spurs’ roster for the upcoming season features a dynamic blend of emerging talent and seasoned veterans, poised to make a significant impact on the court. With stars like Victor Wembanyama leading the charge alongside key additions like Chris Paul, the team is set to compete at a higher level this year.
What’s your perspective on:
Can the Spurs' new lineup finally bring them back to their former glory days?
Have an interesting take?
Players | Position | University |
Zach Collins | Power Forward | Gonzaga |
Brandon Boston Jr. | Guard/Forward | Kentucky |
Malachi Flynn | Point Guard | Washington State, San Diego State |
Harrison Ingram | Small Forward | Stanford, UNC |
David Duke Jr. | Shooting Guard | Providence |
Sandro Mamukelashvili | Power Forward | Seton Hall |
Charles Bassey | Center | Western Kentucky |
Riley Minix | Small Forward | Southeastern University, Morehead State University |
Chris Paul | Point Guard | Wake Forest |
Stephon Castle | Point Guard | UConn |
Blake Wesley | Shooting Guard | Notre Dame |
Devin Vassell | Shooting Guard | Florida State |
Sidy Cissoko | Small Forward | – |
Tre Jones | Point Guard | Duke |
Julian Champagnie | Small Forward | St. John’s |
Harrison Barnes | Small Forward | UNC |
Victor Wembanyama | Power Forward | – |
Keldon Johnson | Power Forward/Small Forward | Kentucky |
Malaki Branham | Shooting Guard | Ohio State |
Jeremy Sochan | Power Forward | Baylor |
Spurs 2024-25 Depth Chart:
Explore how the Spurs’ depth chart showcases a well-rounded lineup, highlighting both established players and promising newcomers.
Note– (DD) indicates players with dual designations or multiple roles.
Position | |||||
Point Gurad | Chris Paul | Tre Jones | Stephon Castle (DD) | Malachi Flynn | Blake Wesley |
Shooting Gurad | Devin Vassell (DD) | Stephon Castle (DD) | Malaki Branham | Blake Wesley | Julian Champagnie |
Small Forward | Harrison Barnes | Julian Champagnie | Devin Vassell (DD) | Keldon Johnson | Stephon Castle (DD) |
Power Forward | Jeremy Sochan | Keldon Johnson | Harrison Barnes | Harrison Ingram | Sandro Mamukelashvili |
Center | Victor Wembanyama | Zach Collins | Sandro Mamukelashvili | Charles Bassey (DD) | Jeremy Sochan |
Offseason Changes:
By signing Chris Paul to a $12 million, one-year contract, the Spurs made a significant acquisition. Paul’s exceptional playmaking skills earned him the second spot in the league, boasting a remarkable 5.17 assist-to-turnover ratio. The team aimed to solve their turnover problems by acquiring this player, which caused them to rank 24th in that category during the 2023-24 season. The Spurs would see significant advantages from his leadership, both on and off the court, as they nurture their young players.
The trade involving DeMar DeRozan resulted in Barnes joining the team, strengthening their experience. By adding both Paul and Barnes to the roster, the Spurs aimed to create a winning culture to mentor their younger players in the NBA.
The Spurs didn’t stop at just veteran signings. Their draft pick, Stephon Castle, made waves by signing a four-year, $41.4 million contract. The Spurs saw the young guard as a valuable addition to their future plans, enhancing the backcourt with depth and talent. In addition, the team brought Juan Nunez and Harrison Ingram in the second round, strengthening their roster with promising young talent.
Perhaps one of the most strategic moves was acquiring the right to swap first-round picks with Sacramento in 2031. This not only added a valuable asset to their stockpile but also signified the Spurs’ long-term vision. With 10 tradable first-round picks over the next seven years, including unprotected picks from Atlanta in 2025 and 2027, the Spurs were well-positioned to make impactful moves in the future.
Spurs’ Head-to-Head Highlights
Battling the Lakers: A Historic Rivalry
Out of all the teams in the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs have faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers the most, playing 56 games. The legendary rivalry started in 1982 and became one of the NBA’s most iconic matchups. Despite their intense battles, the Spurs have a playoff series record of 22-34. Every fiercely contested encounter highlights the significance of this rivalry in both teams’ legacies.
Dominance Over the Nets
In contrast, the Spurs have had a strong hold over the Brooklyn Nets, winning an impressive 74 games compared to the Nets’ 29. Over 103 regular-season games, the Spurs have maintained a remarkable 71.8% win percentage, consistently outperforming the Nets. San Antonio’s ability to adapt and excel against various opponents shows their dominance and strength in important matchups. The Spurs’ dominance over the Nets highlights their strategic brilliance and ability to capitalize on opportunities, solidifying their status as an elite NBA team.
Even Steven with the Trail Blazers
The Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers have had a long-standing rivalry. With a 109-98 record in 207 games, the Spurs have a slight edge. The intensity of their encounters is evident in this competitive balance, as both teams consistently push each other to their limits. The minimal point differential shows how evenly matched these two franchises have been over the years. Each game is a battle, and this rivalry reflects the spirit of competition in the NBA.
Season Forecast: A New Dawn for the Spurs
After a stellar rookie year with averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama as he gears up for the 2024-25 season and is expected to elevate his performance further.
Acquiring Chris Paul, the NBA’s active assist leader, is crucial for setting up Wembanyama’s success by getting him the ball in scoring positions. Adding veteran forward Harrison Barnes provides the Spurs with a reliable presence alongside returning starters like Jeremy Sochan. However, the knee injury to Devin Vassell means he won’t be available until November 4th, potentially causing difficulties at the start of the season.
Stephon Castle and UNC’s Harrison Ingram will strengthen the team and improve competitiveness. This young team seems prepared to make significant progress after finishing with only 22 wins last season. Can the Spurs transform their potential into a playoff run this year?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Can the Spurs' new lineup finally bring them back to their former glory days?