Stephon Castle’s Shooting Is a Work in Progress - But the Spurs Have a Blueprint
When Stephon Castle came off the bench for the first time this season, Spurs fans got a different look at the starting five - and the offense looked noticeably more fluid. The ball moved a little quicker, the spacing was cleaner, and, not coincidentally, the team’s three highest-scoring games of the year have come with Castle either sidelined or coming off the bench.
That’s not a knock on Castle - far from it. Just ask the Dallas Mavericks, who were on the wrong end of his jaw-dropping 40-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist explosion.
That performance was a reminder of just how dynamic he can be when he’s in rhythm. His ability to get downhill, create for teammates, and defend multiple positions makes him a foundational piece for San Antonio’s future.
But it’s also fair to say that the offense, at times, finds more breathing room when he’s not on the floor.
The biggest reason? Spacing. Or more specifically, Castle’s lack of a reliable outside shot.
Let’s be real: Castle’s three-point shooting is a work in progress. When he knocks one down, there’s still a bit of surprise in the air. But here’s the thing - while the reputation is fair, the numbers suggest there’s more nuance here than the eye test might indicate.
Signs of Life from Deep
Castle is hitting just 28.9% from beyond the arc this season - not ideal, especially in today’s NBA, where floor spacing is everything. But zoom in a bit, and there are some encouraging signs.
Over his last five games, he’s connected on 53.3% of his threes (8-for-15). That’s not nothing.
Even more interesting: he’s shooting 41.2% on right corner threes. Yes, it’s on low volume - just 17 attempts - but it hints at a comfort zone. On the flip side, he’s just 1-for-14 from the left corner, so clearly there’s still work to do in finding consistency.
The right corner could become his sweet spot, especially if head coach Mitch Johnson shifts more ball-handling duties back to De’Aaron Fox. That would allow Castle to operate more as a cutter, slasher, and spot-up shooter - roles that play to his strengths while minimizing his current weaknesses.
A Familiar Blueprint: Tony Parker 2.0?
It’s hard not to think about Tony Parker when watching Castle’s game evolve. Parker wasn’t a shooter early in his career either, but he carved out an elite career by mastering the mid-range and finishing at the rim. Eventually, he added a reliable corner three to his arsenal - particularly from the left side.
Castle already has the rim pressure part down. He’s fearless attacking the basket and knows how to draw contact.
And while his three-point shot is still shaky, his mid-range game is quietly solid. He’s hitting 45.2% of his mid-range jumpers this season, albeit on limited attempts (about one per game).
That number lines up with what we’re seeing on the floor - he’s clearly more comfortable pulling up from 15 feet than launching from 25.
That’s a foundation the Spurs can build on.
The Path Forward
Castle doesn’t need to become a knockdown shooter to be a star. What he needs is just enough shooting to keep defenses honest - and the signs suggest he’s on his way. If he can consistently hit mid-range shots and knock down right corner threes, the floor opens up for everything else he does well.
The Spurs have seen this movie before. Build around a guard who can get to the rim at will, develop his in-between game, and slowly expand the range.
It worked with Parker. Castle might not follow the exact same path, but the roadmap is there.
He’s not a finished product - far from it. But the tools are in place.
If Castle continues trending upward as a shooter, even modestly, it could be the key that unlocks his full potential. And for a team building toward the future, that’s a development worth watching closely.