Can the San Antonio Spurs fix this?

The San Antonio Spurs are looking to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2019. 

With Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle leading the way, many NBA pundits believe the Spurs can make the 2026 playoffs. 

However, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report thinks the Spurs' "backcourt redundancies" are a big problem. 

Fox, Castle and rookie Dylan Harper play the same position. 

"The Spurs are unquestionably more talented than they've been at any point during the brief-but-wildly-exciting Victor Wembanyama era. Where the questions come into play, though, is whether the talent all fits together," Buckley wrote. 

"Namely, we're talking about the backcourt, where De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper all share similar strengths (downhill scoring, on-ball creation) and weaknesses (inconsistent shooting). While it can be helpful to have multiple playmakers on the floor, that's really only true if those players can add value when they're off the ball, too.

"Fox is a career 33 percent three-point shooter. Castle shot 28.5 percent from range as a rookie. Harper made exactly one-third of his three-point attempts at Rutgers. If they're all squeezing the spacing for one another, it could be impossible for coach Mitch Johnson to bring out their best and find ways they can all make life easier on Wembanyama."

Fox will miss the start of the regular season because of a hamstring injury. Harper is also recovering from left thumb surgery. 

Once Fox is healthy, the Spurs are expected to start the lefty alongside Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes and Wembanyama.

San Antonio has solid talent around Wembanyama, but the team will ultimately go as far as the All-Star big man can lead them. 

The Spurs drafted Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Wembanyama appeared in 71 games during his rookie season. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.6 blocks and won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Wembanyama made his first All-Star team last season. He averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.8 blocks.

One of the top players in the NBA, Wembanyama has led the league in blocks per game and total blocks for two consecutive seasons. It wouldn't shock anyone if Wembanyama wins multiple Defensive Player of the Year Awards during his career.

Wembanyama has career averages of 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.7 blocks.