With just under a month to go until the NBA trade deadline, the San Antonio Spurs are second in the Western Conference with a 27-12 record. Even the most bullish predictions for the Spurs this season didn’t have this result on their bingo card. Making the playoffs was the goal, and through the first 39 games, they look like they’re on track for that goal.
But that success has shifted expectations. Competing for the playoffs is the standard; the goal, in the eyes of many basketball fans, is for this
team to win playoff games.
The last eight games have shown that the Spurs’ roster may not be as ready to do that today as many thought it was. San Antonio is 4-4 in its last eight games. In January, their offense has stalled, scoring the least amount of points in any month this season. A large part of that has been due to the team’s shooting slump. The Spurs have hit just 27.8% of their three-pointers this month.
The lack of shooting has made it hard for San Antonio’s playmakers to find success getting to the basket. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle are in a slump, and De’Aaron Fox has had an up-and-down month. Getting more floor spacing seems to be a solution that could get the team back on track.
Over 50% of Pounding the Rock readers agree that the team’s lack of shooting has been their biggest problem lately. Right next to it are injuries, which are directly tied to the three-point issue. Devin Vassell has been out since December 29th. Without Vassell, San Antonio is missing a 15-point-per-game scorer and 37% shooter from deep. Many times when the Spurs’ offense slowed down, Vassell was there as a release valve to hit tough shots.
Without Vassell, the offense has severely missed a player who can stretch the defense, shoot off screens, and give the defense a knockdown shooter to think about in half-court settings. Sure, the Spurs need some more shooting, but getting one of their best back in the lineup may be more effective than any trade they could make.
That could be why 42% of respondents to the latest SB Nation Reacts poll said the Spurs should do nothing at the trade deadline. We’ve seen this team play great basketball when at full strength. The issue is they haven’t been at full strength for much of the season.
If they were to make a move, though, fans want to see them acquire more shooting. San Antonio could use another big wing that can shoot. Players like Sam Hauser of the Boston Celtics, John Collins of the Los Angeles Clippers, and PJ Washington of the Dallas Mavericks represent role players who could play the forward spot and knock down shots. But a trade would likely cost a player like Jeremy Sochan and some draft capital. The question becomes if now is the time to make a move, and if any of the players available are worth the price.
Harrison Barnes knocking down more shots, Vassell coming back, and the guards getting back on track could be enough to elevate San Antonio to its previous heights. Or maybe Victor Wembanyama playing a full-minute load will be the key that unlocks the Spurs’ potential. No matter what happens before the deadline, the Spurs need to start shooting the ball better if they want to hold their spot near the top of the Western Conference.
