The San Antonio Spurs plan to hit the ground running next season. Victor Wembanyama will return, De’Aaron Fox will get a complete summer in San Antonio, and Stephon Castle is expected to develop. In addition, the Spurs have two lottery picks to add even more talent this summer, and with a loaded 2025 NBA Draft, they should be able to acquire a starting-caliber player straight away. According to a recent mock draft by Bleacher Report, the Spurs pick Tre Johnson ninth overall. He may be a day one starter and fits in well as an explosive scorer in the Spurs’ rotation.
“The Spurs, who now have De’Aaron Fox’s speed, they should covet the Texas product’s shooting and accept his limitations as a driver,” Jonathan Wasserman argued. “He wowed us with perimeter creativity, footwork for separation and rhythm, jumper balance, and high-level shotmaking ability both on and off the ball. He also settled at times and struggled to make easy rim shots or free throws. He’s still too skilled, productive, and competitive for a 6’6″ 19-year-old for teams to criticize his flaws.” Adding Johnson, who shot 39.7 percent from three in college, gives Devin Vassell or Stephon Castle a chance to come off the bench.
Castle and Fox can both compensate for Johnson’s defensive deficiencies, and his offensive potential outweighs any weaknesses. Johnson is also a good secondary facilitator who can handle the ball when necessary, allowing him to come off the bench and manage the second unit. In all honesty, a starting lineup of Fox, Castle, Vassell, Wembanyama, and Harrison Barnes, along with Tre, Keldon, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, and a true center (TBD), would be a solid enough foundation for the Spurs to make a postseason run.
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