After a long time, the San Antonio Spurs finally look like a team that has a promising balance of youth and veteran presence, which, if meshes well on the court, could allow them not only to secure a strong seed in the regular-season standings but also make a legitimate playoff push, provided their core can stay healthy.
On one side, they have a proven All-Star guard in De’Aaron Fox getting involved in pick-and-roll plays with Victor Wembanyama; on the other hand, they have the reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
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Yet, for two-time NBA champion Matt Bonner, all this quality often overshadows the team’s most overlooked piece: Devin Vassell, who, he believes, if dealt with patience, can be the team’s ultimate x-factor.
Bonner on Vassell’s impact
Vassell seemed ready to take a big leap after putting up averages of 19.5 points and 4.1 assists during the 2023-24 campaign. As a result, the expectations were high that the 2024-25 season would mark his transformation into one of the league’s most dynamic wings. However, in reality, his production took an unexpected dip, with his scoring average dropping by more than three points.
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Naturally, this regression sparked speculation that if the Spurs wanted to strengthen their roster with immediate impact, Vassell might be the trade chip they look to move, especially given how he’s the second-highest-earning player on the team with $27 million dollar contract.
Bonner, however, is adamant that giving up on Vassell would be a huge mistake, arguing that many overlook just how valuable the 25-year-old’s two-way skills are for the team’s long-term goal. While Wemby dominates as an unguardable presence near the rim and the likes of Harrison Barnes can space the floor with efficient three-point shooting, Vassell offers something different – a reliable scorer who can generate offense from all levels of the court and even hold his own defensively on the perimeter.
That combination, according to Bonner, can help the Spurs win games even when their star duo fails to have a solid night.
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“One of my big keys to the Spurs’ success? Devin Vassell,” Bonner said during his interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“I think he’s underrated, he’s sneaky, super athletic on both ends of the floor. You just got to stay healthy, stay on the floor. When people look at their roster, they forget about him and like he’s a really good player. He gives them a really good third scoring option that can go off and be that X-factor when they need it,” he stated.
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Vassell needs to prove his worth
After missing the postseason now for six straight seasons, at this point, fans in San Antonio are growing restless for success. Given how the Wembanyama era is entering its third year, expectations from this team are no longer about patience but progress.
Put simply, the Spurs’ fanbase wants to see results, especially with the sheer amount of quality talent surrounding their 7’4″ phenom.
This is precisely where Vassell’s role becomes magnified.
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Having already spent five years in San Antonio, he now carries the responsibility of proving he can deliver on nights when the team’s stars either struggle or are unavailable.
If he cannot step into that role consistently, then the front office may feel justified in replacing him with another player who has demonstrated more growth in the same timeframe.
That being said, the Spurs need to show their heart if they intend to contest for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference picture, and for that to happen Vassell will be required to have a breakout year in the upcoming months.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.