One of the primary reasons everyone was so excited about the San Antonio Spurs heading into the 2025-26 NBA campaign was because of how good guard Stephon Castle looked last season, winning the Rookie of the Year award.

The Castle-Victor Wembanyama duo definitely appeared to be one of the more impressive young tandems in the league after last year, and early on this season, that has not changed.

But last February, the Spurs kind of, sort of clouded Castle's future by swinging a trade for De'Aaron Fox. They then further complicated things by selecting Dylan Harper in the NBA Draft, and then, to put the icing on the cake, they signed Fox to an extension back in August.

It seems hard to imagine that all of three of those guards will remain in San Antonio for the long haul, and Bleacher Report's Dan Favale thinks Castle in particular might be in danger, tabbing him as the Spurs' top trade asset.

"Including Castle isn't as controversial as it might seem. The San Antonio Spurs would almost assuredly need to move one of him, De'Aaron Fox or Dylan Harper in any blockbuster. Fox isn't trade-eligible until the day before the Feb. 5 deadline, and Harper already looms as the more plug-and-play option," Favale wrote.

The Spurs selected Castle with the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. He went on to average 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds over 26.7 minutes per game on 42.8/28.5/72.4 shooting splits last season.

This year, Castle has registered 20 points, 6.2 boards and 5.3 assists across 32 minutes a night on 55.4/34.6/63.0 shooting splits.

Obviously, Castle's efficiency could stand to improve, mainly due to his very shaky perimeter jumper. But he is an immensely talented two-way player with clear All-Star potential.

San Antonio has been floated as a potential trade destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo multiple times, and you get the feeling that Castle would have to be involved in any Antetokounmpo trade package. That also applies to any other star player.

It would truly be a shame if the Spurs had to part ways with Castle, but due to their roster construction, it might end up being unavoidable.