As the common season winds down, a number of San Antonio Spurs gamers are up for some main honors. Victor Wembanyama is seemingly a lock for Defensive Player of the Year, and Keldon Johnson is a robust candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
However, they will not be alone. Stephon Castle quietly has a robust case for a serious NBA honor.
With season-ending accidents to Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards lacking the 65-game minimal, Castle’s All-NBA odds are quickly enhancing.
Castle has arguably been the second-best participant on the second-best staff within the NBA this season. He may not be an award voter’s first, second, and even third alternative, however he’s more and more trying like a robust candidate within the absence of different stars.
Stephon Castle may make all-NBA for the Spurs this season
Castle’s potential to earn All-NBA honors in his second season may very well be a double-edged sword for the Silver and Black. It’s nice within the sense that he’d be gaining recognition for his nice season.
On the opposite hand, it will end in him qualifying for a rookie max contract that might pay him nicely over $200 million. He might finally be price it, particularly if his latest sizzling taking pictures is sustainable.
Even so, it will make the chance of retaining the core of Wembanyama, Castle, and Dylan Harper collectively that a lot more durable. It’s uncommon for a participant to make All-NBA with out making the All-Star staff. Still, the NBA’s misguided 65-game minimal is making that extra of a chance.
Stephon Castle making All-NBA could also be a double-edged sword
To Castle’s credit score, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons just lately made a case for him to make All-NBA even earlier than accidents to Cunningham, Doncic, and Anthony Edwards.
His all-around play has been instrumental in San Antonio’s success. That might not make him one of the 15 greatest gamers within the NBA, however it’s exhausting to disclaim he has been one of probably the most impactful this season.
It could be nice for him to make All-NBA. However, maybe as soon as he makes a much bigger leap and proves that he’s a top-15 participant or no less than an All-Star.
Otherwise, the Spurs could also be pressured to offer him an enormous extension that might jeopardize their potential to construct a sustained contender round Wembanyama.
Then once more, if Castle turns into a legit All-NBA participant and Wembanyama emerges as the perfect participant within the NBA, San Antonio would definitely discover a option to make all of it work.
