San Antonio Spurs: Weatherspoon’s emergence has to be put on hold

San Antonio Spurs point guard Quinndary Weatherspoon needed surgery

Throughout the first part of the 2019-20 regular season, San Antonio Spurs fans were very vocal about their frustrations with the team’s rotations, especially in the backcourt. It didn’t take long for fans to tire of seeing Bryn Forbes and Marco Belinelli getting heavy minutes. They wanted to see the young players play, and they wanted it right away.

If you thought it was frustrating from a fan’s perspective imagine how tough it must have been for the players who were actually going through it. There is a level of understanding from the young guys, they know how the Spurs system works and should get that playing for the Austin Spurs and riding the bench in San Antonio is part of their development. But still, these guys are elite athletes and they want to play.

Lonnie Walker and Keldon Johnson got their chance to crack the rotation this year and Luka Samanic looks like he could be primed for a breakout season but the forgotten man has been Quinndary Weatherspoon. And now it sounds like we’re going to have to wait a bit longer for him to carve out a role in the Spurs rotation.

Quinndary Weatherspoon undergoes minor knee surgery

It was announced earlier this week that Weatherspoon went under the knife for a cartilage debridement operation on his left knee.

Some #Spurs offseason news. Quinndary Weatherspoon underwent a left knee procedure today. Quinndary played in all 8 bubble games for SA. #KSATsports #NBA pic.twitter.com/BGrldYZf3S

— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) October 7, 2020

Now, I’m not a doctor but I do have access to a working computer and it sounds like this kind of procedure is minimally invasive and shouldn’t keep Quinn off the floor for too long. More than anything it’s likely a precautionary measure or one that’s aiming to remove some discomfort that the young point guard has been feeling in his knee.

No timetable has been officially announced around his return to play but a quick scouring of reputable websites will tell you that athletes who undergo this kind of procedure are usually able to return to their previous physical work following 4 to 6 weeks of recovery and physical therapy. We could see Weatherspoon back on the court as soon as mid-November.

After a rookie season where he spent most of his time on the bench or in Austin, Weatherspoon could be in for a major minute increase this year. With the futures of DeMar DeRozan, Forbes, and Belinelli all up in the air there could be a major opportunity for minutes in the San Antonio backcourt in the near future. That would be a great chance for Weatherspoon to show what he’s made of.

When he did have the chance to play he was impressive. He’s a big-bodied point guard who defends well and was also able to put up points efficiently in his time in the G-League. He could be a great addition to the Spurs rotation, he just needs his opportunity.

Here’s to hoping that Quinndary Weatherspoon has a smooth recovery and can rejoin the San Antonio Spurs on the court in short order.