As the San Antonio Spurs hit the back half of the 2025-26 season, they’re still searching for their offensive identity - not because of a lack of talent, but because they’ve had to adapt on the fly. Injuries forced the team to experiment with different offensive looks, and to their credit, it’s worked.
The Spurs currently hold the third-best record in the NBA, a testament to their depth and flexibility. But now that the roster is mostly healthy, the challenge shifts from surviving to thriving - and that means figuring out how to fully unlock a lineup featuring Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and rookie Stephon Castle.
It’s a good problem to have: too much talent, not enough basketballs. Still, it hasn’t been seamless.
Fox, in particular, has had to adjust his game more than anyone might’ve expected. With Castle taking on a significant share of the ball-handling duties, Fox has often been relegated to playing off the ball - a role he’s capable of filling, but not one that maximizes his strengths.
Castle’s growth as a lead guard has been one of the more intriguing developments in San Antonio. He’s shown poise beyond his years, and the coaching staff has leaned into that by giving him the keys to the offense for stretches. But that’s come at a cost - namely, Fox’s production and rhythm.
The Spurs have started to recognize that, and we saw a shift recently against the Utah Jazz. With Fox back in control of the offense, he erupted for 31 points and five assists, showing exactly why he’s at his best when he’s the one initiating.
The offense flowed differently - faster, sharper, more aggressive. Fox wasn’t just scoring; he was dictating tempo, collapsing the defense, and creating clean looks for teammates.
This isn’t theoretical. We’ve already seen what happens when Fox is the focal point.
Earlier in the season, when both Castle and Wembanyama were sidelined, Fox carried the load and had the Spurs playing at a top-five offensive level. His ability to get into the paint, finish with touch, hit floaters, or knock down pull-ups makes him a nightmare for defenders.
Add in his vision and willingness to move the ball, and it’s clear: this offense hums when Fox is steering the ship.
That doesn’t mean Castle should be pushed aside. In fact, the Spurs’ ability to toggle between different offensive looks is part of what makes them dangerous.
Castle has shown flashes as a playmaker, and while his shooting is still a work in progress, there are signs of promise. He’s hitting 33% of his spot-up threes - not elite, but serviceable.
More interestingly, he’s knocking down 42% of his right-corner threes, albeit on a small sample size. That suggests a potential role as a floor spacer when Fox is running the show, particularly from the corners where he’s shown some comfort.
The likely path forward is a shared playmaking load, but with a clear hierarchy: Fox should be the primary initiator. He’s simply more dynamic with the ball in his hands, and his ability to pressure defenses opens up opportunities not just for himself, but for everyone around him.
And that brings us to the pairing that could define the Spurs’ ceiling - Fox and Wembanyama. So far, we haven’t seen them build the pick-and-roll chemistry that many envisioned when the trade for Fox went down. That’s not to say it won’t come - it just hasn’t been prioritized.
But it should be.
Wembanyama’s unique skill set - the ability to roll, pop, and stretch defenses with his shooting - pairs beautifully with Fox’s speed and slashing ability. Defenses can’t afford to switch lightly, and they can’t trap Fox without risking leaving a shooter or Wembanyama wide open.
If a smaller defender ends up on Wemby after a switch, that’s a mismatch. If the big tries to hedge or drop, Fox has the craft to exploit it.
We’ve already seen what Fox can do in a spread pick-and-roll with a floor-spacing big like Luke Kornet. Now imagine that same setup with Wembanyama - a 7-foot-4 unicorn who can shoot over anyone and finish above the rim. That’s a nightmare scenario for opposing defenses.
Castle has done an admirable job filling in as the lead guard, but Fox is the one who can elevate this offense to elite levels. His decision-making, pace, and ability to manipulate defenses are exactly what San Antonio needs as they gear up for a playoff push. It’s time for Coach Mitch Johnson to lean into that - to put the ball in Fox’s hands and let him cook.
The Spurs have options, and that’s a good thing. But as they look to turn a strong regular season into a deep playoff run, the formula is becoming clear: Fox at the point, Castle as a secondary creator and floor spacer, and Wembanyama as the do-it-all big who bends the game in ways few players ever have.
That trio has the potential to be special. Now it’s just about finding the right balance - and letting Fox lead the charge.