Devin Vassell’s breakout year may be late but signs point to an impending explosion

Many people in the Spurs community have already given up on the 24-year-old guard Devin Vassell. Writers are including him in mock trades and discussing what pieces the Spurs can get in return for the youngster. They are digging his grave.

I am here to tell you, not so fast.

Why everyone has given up on Vassell

While I am here to spread the gospel about the Florida State product, I am not blind to the concerns. Devin Vassell had a rough year.

Vassell's numbers dropped across the board. He finished the 2024-25 campaign with 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on shooting splits of 44.3% from the field and 36.8% from deep. This was a far cry from his previous season, where he averaged more points, assists, and better efficiency.

Vassell's role decreased last season and could shrink even further pending the Spurs' offseason moves. The induction of Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle last year and the likely selection of Dylan Harper as the second overall pick will execute Vassell's starting spot.

The injuries have also been a concern. Vassell has played less than 70 games in each of the last three seasons, and one of those years included a 44-game absence. Trusting a player with your future is difficult when they so commonly miss games.

From once being a core member of the Spurs' future, fans have quickly erased their memory of the promising player he looked like just a year ago.

However, despite the overwhelming skepticism, I believe he is not dead in the water yet.

The truth about Devin Vassell

What some may tend to forget is that Vassell did not have a full offseason of work last year because of a foot injury. Recovery from the surgery to repair his foot lasted throughout training camp and caused him to miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

How could you expect Vassell to play at the peak of his powers without any preparation for a grueling season? Players need the time to warm up, train, and improve in the offseason; Vassell didn't have that. It's no wonder that he didn't play up to standard.

Further, Vassell's performance in the capped season was not as bad as many make it seem. Vassell still shot a solid number from three, and fewer attempts per game can explain the PPG drop.

Now, Vassell will enter next season with a whole summer of work and time to hone in on his craft. Fully healthy, he can have a better time finding the looks he wants and return to putting up a lively amount of shots. Wholly locked in this time around, he won't need the adjustment period that he did this season and can build momentum heading into the year.

With added competition, a fire will be lit under him, motivating him to vastly improve his game. Vassell will not just sit back and curl into a ball because reinforcements have arrived. Even with Harper's assumed entrance into the starting lineup, Vassell can thrive off the bench and put his name on the Sixth Man of the Year ballot next season.

He is still young and fighting for his future in the NBA. He has all the tools to be a 20-point per-game scorer, and his keen defensive skills make him a striking asset. You can't expect a 24-year-old not to have some lumps when finding their footing in the NBA. Just because he struggled for a year doesn't mean everyone should pile up the doubt on him.

Don't follow the hype and give up on Vassell. His time is coming. Fully healthy ahead of a long off-season of work, Vassell will be ready to explode onto the scene in 2025-26. Buy into the stock and trust that the former first-round pick can send shockwaves throughout the NBA.