Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle are already tracking toward something rare in San Antonio: a duo that could climb into NBA record-book territory.
The Spurs have had no shortage of elite pairings over the years, but the current one is starting to look like the kind that can define an era. Wembanyama is the obvious centerpiece, yet Castle has quickly emerged as the kind of partner who helps unlock everything around him. That matters in San Antonio, where the blueprint has always been about building the right support system around a franchise giant.
The Spurs used that formula for years with Tim Duncan at the center. From 1997 to 2017, they won five titles and sat near the top of the league for much of that stretch.
Duncan was the anchor, but he had plenty of help. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and a young Kawhi Leonard all brought different strengths, and those strengths made Duncan’s job easier.
They got him the ball, stretched the floor, and handled heavy defensive work, allowing him to stay productive deep into his career.
Now the same idea is being applied to Wembanyama. De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper, and Castle all bring value of their own, but the larger mission is simple: maximize Wembanyama’s window. Castle looks especially suited for that role.
The numbers already point in that direction. John Stockton and Karl Malone still hold the NBA record for most assists from one player to another, with Stockton feeding Malone 1,572 times.
Stockton’s 15,806 career assists remain the league standard, and his Malone connection sits ahead of every other duo in history. Tony Parker and Duncan are next with 1,533.
Castle and Wembanyama are not close to that mark yet, but the pace is striking. Last season, Castle assisted Wembanyama 130 times, which ranked sixth in the NBA.
Jamal Murray assisted Nikola Jokic 170 times to lead the league, while Jokic’s 147 assists to Murray ranked second. Castle also led the Spurs with 7.4 assists per game, even though he is not a point guard.
That number was much smaller during Castle’s rookie year, when he found Wembanyama for only 36 assists. But that came in a season when Wembanyama missed a large chunk of time and Chris Paul was the team’s primary playmaker.
If Castle and Wembanyama keep producing at roughly last season’s rate, they would need at least 11 more strong seasons together to pass Stockton and Malone. Both players have said they want to stay in San Antonio for the long haul, and if Castle eventually accepts a similar pay cut to Wembanyama, the Spurs could maintain the financial room needed to keep the roster strong around them.
In Other News...
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The debate now shifts to how, and whether, the rest of the plan can keep moving. Spurs CEO RC Buford has said the team wants to press ahead, while Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has argued for more voter input on the deal and opposed the councils decision. With the arena financing built around the Spurs paying $500 million and the city directing money already set aside for entertainment venues, the issue is no longer just about a building. It is about who gets to decide the franchises future home. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Just Sent A Clear Message About Their Austin Push
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The timing is notable, too, because one of those games lands during a packed Austin sports weekend that also features Formula 1 and Texas Longhorns football. For a franchise that has spent years treating Austin as more than just a nearby market, this is another sign that the Spurs see real value in deepening the connection, even as the full scope of the move keeps unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Stephon Castle Sees One Spurs Teammate Reaching Another Level
The Spurs run to the 2026 NBA Finals ended just short of a championship, but Stephon Castles second season gave San Antonio plenty to build on. Castle turned in a strong sophomore campaign and carried that momentum into the playoffs, then spent part of NBA 2K Community Day reflecting on how much the team has already grown around Victor Wembanyama.
Castle pointed to Wembanyamas latest step forward as a sign the Spurs best days may still be ahead, saying the big man is reaching another level. He also talked about his own experiences with the NBA 2K series during the media sessions, a reminder that for a young core in San Antonio, the on-court progress and the off-court spotlight are starting to arrive at the same time. [Read more 🡒]