The San Antonio Spurs aren’t just turning heads this season - they’re planting a flag. With statement wins over the Lakers, Rockets, Nuggets, and Thunder already under their belt, the Spurs have announced themselves as one of the NBA’s most complete young teams. And here’s the kicker: they’re just getting started.
While trade season buzz is swirling around the league, don’t expect San Antonio to get caught up in the frenzy - at least not when it comes to their core. Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper are already considered foundational pieces, and now it’s clear Stephon Castle belongs in that same untouchable tier.
Castle, in just his second year, is making the kind of leap that front offices dream about. Since returning from a calf injury, he’s been on a tear - averaging 21.8 points, five assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game, while shooting a blistering 38.9% from three. That’s not just a bounce-back - that’s a breakout.
And it’s not just the numbers. It’s the way he’s doing it.
Castle’s game has matured in real time. He’s always had the athleticism and defensive chops, but the knock on him coming into the league was his jumper.
Last season, he hit just 28.5% from deep. Early this year, that number dipped even lower - just 24% through his first 13 games.
But now? He’s spacing the floor with confidence, punishing defenders who sag off, and making teams pay for underestimating his range.
That kind of improvement doesn’t happen by accident. It takes work, buy-in, and a relentless drive to get better - all traits the Spurs coaching staff and front office clearly see in Castle.
As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst put it, “They love Castle. They love everything about his makeup, they love everything about the way he competes, and they love everything about how he's willing to improve.”
Castle’s also benefiting from the Spurs’ evolving roster construction. With Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox now sharing the floor with him, Castle isn’t being asked to do everything.
The added playmaking and floor spacing have opened up driving lanes and allowed him to pick his spots. He still thrives attacking the rim - that’s always going to be his bread and butter - but now he’s showing he can be a three-level scorer.
That’s a game-changer.
And let’s not overlook the context here. Castle is just 21 years old.
He’s already producing like a seasoned vet, and he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his prime. He may never be a two-time MVP like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he doesn’t need to be.
What he is - a versatile, two-way guard with a rapidly developing offensive arsenal - fits this Spurs team like a glove.
There’s been some chatter around the league about teams like the Spurs, Rockets, and Thunder being in position to make a blockbuster move - perhaps even for a superstar like Antetokounmpo. But when you’re building something this promising, you don’t rush to tear it down for a quick fix. The Spurs are winning now, and they’re doing it with a young core that’s growing together.
Stephon Castle’s emergence is one of the biggest reasons why. He’s not just a piece of the puzzle - he’s becoming a pillar of the franchise. And with the way he’s trending, San Antonio’s ceiling just keeps getting higher.
The Spurs have found something special - and they know it.