Could the San Antonio Spurs finally break their playoff drought?
The San Antonio Spurs have missed the playoffs six seasons in a row, which is definitely not what anyone has become accustomed to from an organization that won five championships between 1999 and 2014.
However, the Spurs are in a completely new era right now. Tim Duncan is a distant memory, as are Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard. Heck, Gregg Popovich retired, too.
The good news is that San Antonio is absolutely loaded with young talent, ranging from Victor Wembanyama to Stephon Castle to rookie Dylan Harper. It goes far beyond those three, too.
So, are the Spurs ready to make a big jump and qualify for the playoffs in the rugged Western Conference this coming season? Or are they still too green?
ESPN's Brian Windhorst loves San Antonio, but he isn't so sure the Spurs are ready to break their playoff drought just yet.
San Antonio Spurs players Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones on the bench. Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images.“I’m a big believer in the Spurs’ future,” Windhorst said. “I’m not sure I’m sold that this is the year they leap into the top six. But hey, you know, I’ve got a rule and I’m bringing it back this September. No ceilings on Victor Wembanyama.”
Making a playoff run in the West will definitely be difficult, but there is reason to believe that San Antonio could at least make a push for a play-in game.
The Spurs won 34 games last year, and that was with Wembanyama playing in just 46 games after being sidelined by a blood clot midseason.
But now, Wembanyama is fully recovered, and with some more experience under his belt, the 21-year-old could be prepared to take the NBA by storm this year. It's also important to remember that San Antonio will be getting a full season of De'Aaron Fox, whom the Spurs acquired at the trade deadline last winter.
Of course, the progression of young players like Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and even Keldon Johnson (who has lost some of his luster in recent years) will also play a massive factor in San Antonio's success. It's not just Wembanyama and Fox.
It will also be interesting to see how the Spurs respond to new head coach Mitch Johnson, who has served as an assistant in San Antonio since 2019.