The San Antonio Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox out for the season, are experimenting with different lineups to see what works as they prepare for a more successful season next year. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Blake Wesley have recently emerged as the most promising young players, and both will be negotiating contracts this winter. Mamukelashvili will be an unrestricted free agent, while Wesley is approaching the final season of his rookie deal and is due for an extension. Before the season began, fans expected the Spurs would not extend Wesley, but his recent performance has demonstrated that he can be a part of their long-term plans, with one important proviso.
The Spurs are 4-3 in their previous seven games, with Wesley playing an average of 20 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.6 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals, and his 3-point shooting has risen to 40%, though it may not be sustainable. With Chris Paul poised to reach free agency and unlikely to re-sign with the Spurs, San Antonio will undoubtedly start Fox and Stephon Castle and may pick a top guard prospect, but Wesley might be the fourth player in the backcourt. This season, he has made the most of when his number has been called, and the Spurs may sign him to an easily tradeable extension this summer, keeping him in San Antonio.
Wesley, like Castle, is an excellent defender and facilitator, however his outside shooting needs improvement. He’s not as composed with the ball as Castle, which explains why his playing time was so limited until injuries piled up. While he will not be a key member of the rotation next season, he is a tried-and-true depth piece who is less risky than a rookie and will cost less than a veteran.
If the Spurs are able to re-sign Tre Jones from the Chicago Bulls this offseason, he will be a superior backup guard than Wesley, rendering the entire debate meaningless, though Jones is likely enjoying his larger position with the Bulls and Chicago may offer him more money than the Spurs. Wesley is clearly a viable backup candidate to captain the third unit.
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