3 Reasons Vassell should continue coming off the bench for Spurs
By Cal Durrett
![Devin Vassell Devin Vassell](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4800,h_2700,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/29/01hgf7v553jq6k3ea1d4.jpg)
The San Antonio Spurs find themselves in desperate need of a shakeup after dropping 13 straight games and being on pace to finish with one of the worst point differentials in NBA history. Unfortunately, they don't appear to have many options that would take them from worst to first.
However, coach Gregg Popovich has experimented with bringing wing Devin Vassell off the bench as he works his way back from an injury. That change has given the team a different look, and there are several reasons why he should look to make Vassell a sixth man going forward.
3) Benching Vassell could help Johnson and Wembanyama.
When the Spurs first started playing tall ball, the goal appeared to be to get Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama as much playing time together as possible. However, due to a lack of fit and the team's struggles scoring, keeping Vassell off the bench might be the best thing for everyone involved.
With Vassell always aggressively looking for his shot, it can keep players like Johnson and Wembanyama from getting going early. But with Vassell coming off the bench, both players would get a chance to get off to a good start. While benching Vassell over Johnson might seem questionable, Vassell has more experience coming off the bench and has played well doing so this season.
Thus far, in five games playing in the second unit, he's averaging 18.0 points per game while shooting 37.8% from three. That is down from 19.0 points and 44.9% from three as a starter, but that should balance out if he continues on in his new role. Figuring out a way to get Johnson and Wembanyama involved in the offense earlier is key to maximizing their potential, and that could start with keeping Vassell as the team's sixth man.