Devin Vassell of Spurs Victor Wembanyama’s Success Factor.
As predicted, Victor Wembanyama has dominated the league thus far. Although the San Antonio Spurs aren’t playing well right now, it’s obvious where they should focus going forward: on Wemby.
The Spurs have found the ideal complementary player in Devin Vassell, one of the league’s most underappreciated talents, to help them go forward. The fourth-year wing is flourishing with the additional attention Wembanyama has been receiving, averaging a career-high in points and assists.
Vassell, 23, is a player who has the potential to be the third best on a team that wants to win the championship. Regretfully, the Spurs lack the complementary player who could partner with Wembanyama.
Vassell is a challenging shot maker and taker, but with a high-scoring player (Trae Young, perhaps?) in the mix, he might see more open shots and get better looks, both of which he easily makes.
Though the Spurs’ season is obviously not going well, it’s clear where they want to be heading into next year. The Spurs would benefit greatly from the addition of a high-end distributor and another three-and-d player, albeit one who is likely less skilled. Tre Jones has been a reliable distributor; if he makes one more step, he might emerge as the rebuild’s main player. Jeremy Sochan completes this fictitious starting five as a one-man wrecking brigade on defense.
The Spurs have depth players in Dominick Barlow, Blake Wesley, and Malaki Branham, so it won’t take long to assemble a team around or in support of Vassell and Wembanyama.
It’s been argued that this is the worst version of Wembanyama that will ever exist, and Vassell is no different. Vassell will flourish off-ball and have even more opportunities to shine as the Spurs bring in more youthful players to help carry some of the offensive load.
Vassell and Wembanyama are secure in their roles as the Spurs’ main players going forward. San Antonio only needs a point guard to assist everyone get to their spots because they have a true star wing and a star center. If it’s not obvious enough, San Antonio has a very bright future ahead of it.
