3 Members of the Spurs young core primed to have breakout seasons

The already young San Antonio Spurs got even younger this summer, including adding a pair of teenagers in the NBA Draft. One of them was number 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, who will usher in a new era in Spurs basketball following a several-season rebuild and a search for their next franchise player. He could be that player right out of the gate for San Antonio, but he'll need help turning a team that went 22-60 last season into a playoff team.

But with so many young players on the roster, a lot of them are still figuring things out. Even then, it seems more likely than not that at least a couple of them will take a major step forward in their development next season. That would raise the Spurs' ceiling in both the short and long term and give the team an opportunity to see which players have a chance to be a part of their core going forward.

That will make the 2023–24 season all the more important for San Antonio since it could inform their roster moves for years to come. Next, we'll take a look at several breakout candidates for next season, starting with one of the Spurs' three 2022 first-round selections.

3.) Malaki Branham 

Spurs 2022 20th overall pick Malaki Branham showed tantalizing flashes of the player he could be during the second half of last season, even as a teenager. Post-all-star break, he averaged a solid 12.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21 games, including 16.8 points per game in February while shooting 38.6% from three. Branham accomplished that by knocking down open threes and scoring off cuts, drives, and floaters—all things that he should be better at in year two.

While starters Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson will likely play more minutes next season, the Spurs will also play lineups without a traditional point guard, including ones with Branham. Even as a fourth or fifth option in those lineups or a secondary option in second units, he could make a big leap next season using the same skills that were on display during his rookie year.

Playing with Wembanyama, Branham could benefit from the attention that he will draw by scoring off cuts to the rim or draining open shots from the perimeter. He may also play more with the ball in bench lineups, where he showed promise using ball screens to score. Based on that, Branham has a chance to average around 15 points per game next season, not necessarily a star turn but still a dramatic improvement nonetheless.

2.) Jeremy Sochan

Rising sophomore Jeremy Sochan proved to be a bright spot in the worst season in Spurs history. His skill was immediately apparent, and he should be much better next season now that the Spurs are looking to win games. After all, Sochan's skill set is that of a high-level role player, and with a possible superstar in Wembanyama, he'll have someone that he can play off of.

Sochan's jumper is said to be improved, and if that is the case, then he could thrive in his projected new role off the bench. The Spurs haven't had a sixth man like Sochan since Boris Diaw and could use a utility big man to play alongside Wembanyama or Collins.

Better shooting and more opportunities playing off the bench might result in him taking a big step forward from year one to year two. If that is the case, then the Spurs could be better than expected with Sochan, who is arguably the fourth-best player on the team, helping to raise their floor. Expect big things from Sochan in the 2023–24 NBA season.

1.) Devin Vassell

Topping the list of potential breakout candidates for the Spurs is Devin Vasell. Vassell finished second on the team in scoring but looked like he was the best player on the Spurs when healthy. That might not be the case next season with Wembanyama, but his presence should only help Vassell. Last season, he showed a previously unseen ability to consistently create for himself in the NBA. He emerged as an efficient, high-volume 3-point shooter, which also helped him develop into a mid-range threat.

Both of those skills are easily replicable next season, even more so with Wembanyama and Zach Collins there to set screens. Both big men can space the floor and make it easier for Vassell to generate offense for himself using ball screens. Playing with two big men likely means that the Spurs will play slower, which could help Vassell on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, the Spurs may not have as many fast break opportunities, but they could focus more on executing in a half-court, which could mean more plays being run. Vassell is the best shooter in the starting lineup, so it would make sense that Coach Popovich would use him in pindowns and in dribble handoffs.

Defensively, Vassell wasn't as good last season, but he should be better next season, playing alongside more size and in less random lineups. After averaging 18.5 points per game last season, with another summer to sure up his game, he could potentially average around 21 points in 2023–24 and truly breakout.