Fans should pay close attention to hidden Devin Vassell skill fueling Spurs offense

After missing 13 games in late December and January, it's safe to say that Devin Vassell is far more important to the San Antonio Spurs than ever expected. The Spurs struggled shooting from outside the entire time he was out and are just now getting back into the swing of things offensively with him back.

Who would have thought that Vassell would be so crucial to the Spurs? I'll be the first to admit I didn't, but the results speak for themselves. San Antonio was just 7-6 without him and shot 30.5% from three during his absence.

As it turns out, he isn't just one of their best high-volume shooters but also one of the best midrange shooters in the NBA. Per NBA.com, Vassell ranks 10th in the NBA in midrange efficiency, drilling 45.2% of his 2-point jumpers.

That might not seem like a big deal, but that sets him apart from the likes of Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie. Both are more reliant on threes, while Vassell is perfectly capable of scoring in the midrange. This makes him a more dependable offensive option and the Spurs' X-factor.

Devin Vassell is the Spurs' midrange assassin

We've seen Vassell have big games this season. He had 35 points on the road against the Denver Nuggets, including nailing seven threes. He also drilled seven threes in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Then there were the NBA Cup playoffs, where he scored 20 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder, helping to fuel San Antonio's comeback. All that is to say that he is a crucial part of the Spurs' offense. Vassell is someone who can go off on any given night, but he is far from a boom or bust player.

Few teams have the luxury of having a fourth option who can consistently score 15 points and occasionally drop 20+. Vassell's gravity as a shooter also helps slashers such as De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper easily get into the paint.

Devin Vassell is the Spurs' X-factor

Teams are also unlikely to leave him open to send a double team at Victor Wembanyama. Those two have developed outstanding chemistry. Vassell is among the best on the team at throwing him lobs and also utilizing the attention Wembanyama commands to drill jumpers.

Overall, Vassell's return to the lineup has been key to the Spurs getting back on track, with his shooting ability providing them with a reliable fourth option. As they head into the second half of the season, keeping him healthy will be key, with him already proving that he's their X-factor.