4 players destined to disappoint Spurs fans in 2024-25 season

For the first time in several seasons, San Antonio Spurs fans have reason to believe that the team can make the playoffs. Budding superstar Victor Wembanyama seems poised to break out and lead the Spurs to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Bolstering those chances are future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, who has a reputation for turning around struggling franchises, and hopefully, the Spurs will be the latest on his long list.

Nevertheless, they will have to start the season without their second-best player, Devin Vassell, who will be out for several weeks. That will increase the need for other players to step up, but there are four that are destined to disappoint Spurs fans in 2024-25.

4) Zach Collins

Following a strong 2022–23 season, Zach Collins seemingly established himself as the team's starting center. In theory, he was supposed to provide the Spurs with a stretch five who could both knock down threes, score in the post, and pass. However, that fell apart when his 3-point shot abandoned him last season, and the Spurs offense struggled as a result.

Popovich then made the decision to bench Collins, which unlocked Wembanyama's full potential. It also ensured that Collins wouldn't be a full-time starter in San Antonio going forward, even after signing a two-year extension. In his defense, he did play better in the second half of last season, though it is anyone's guess how he will look this season playing a diminished role.

He could thrive playing around 16 minutes per game and filling in for Wembanyama when he DNPs. That is entirely possible, but it would still be hard for him to justify being paid $35 million over the next two seasons to be the team's backup. Especially when third-string center Charles Bassey played well in that role last year for the minimum.

If Bassey looks good after working his way back from an ACL tear, then Collins will be a prime trade candidate, particularly if he is able to rehab his value some. Either way, whether Collins plays well or not, he won't live up to the expectations set from his contact.

3) Jeremy Sochan

Forward Jeremy Sochan faces a make-or-break season. Year three is when lottery picks tend to show and prove, and while many Spurs fans are hoping that he will emerge as a key part of the team's young core, that may not be in the cards for him. His defense is as good as advertised, and he did improve as a playmaker last season after being forced out of his comfort zone.

Still, his biggest swing skill is his three-point shooting, and barring a dramatic improvement, he may not be an above-average shooter next season, or perhaps ever. That might not be the end-all-be-all for Sochan, especially if paired with Wembanyama, who has the potential to offset his lack of shooting.

As long as Sochan keeps taking threes at a decent clip and is able to hit around one-third of his attempts. The Spurs should be fine offensively, assuming that everyone else on the floor can shoot.

That might be setting a low bar for Sochan, but if fans are expecting him to suddenly become a sharpshooter from outside and look like a more complete offensive player next season, it probably isn't going to happen.

Instead, he will likely settle into the role that he will hopefully play on future contending teams. Having a power forward who can defend multiple positions, pass, score off of cuts, in transition, and knock down the occasional three is a useful player to have, but he just may never be the player some fans expect him to be.

2) Keldon Johnson

Entering year number five, Keldon Johnson is the Spurs' longest-tenured player, making him a young veteran of sorts. Even so, he may not be in for a great season. His role and production dropped sharply with the addition of Wembanyama, and after a terrible start to the season for the Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich shook up the starting lineup and moved Johnson to the bench.

Julian Champagnie started over him, possibly due to him being a better shooter. Last season, Champagnie shot 36.5% from three and 40.7% in 2022-24, compared to Johnson's 34.5% in 2023-24. His struggles from behind the arc have often led to inconsistent results. In 2021-22, he had a strong second half of the season, averaging 21 points per game while shooting 39.8% from three for the year.

Since then, however, he has been a below-average 3-point shooter, which limits his potential as an offensive player, especially with his inconsistent finishing in the paint. Combining that with the team's improved depth on the perimeter with the addition of Harrison Barnes pushing Champagnie to the bench and drafting Stephon Castle means the Spurs don't need Johnson as much as they once did.

1) Malaki Branham

This year will be crucial for guard Malaki Branham, who has been a mixed bag at best during his two seasons with the Spurs. At times he has looked like a polished offensive player who can knock down floaters, mid-range pull-ups, and spot-up threes.

He even looked competent as a ball handler, but he has yet to put it all together with any consistency. Instead, he has put together strong months, showing just enough to keep Spurs fans interested but not enough to show that he can be a part of the team's core.

Castle will likely eat into his playing time, though with Vasell out for at least a couple of weeks to start the season, Branham will get a chance to come out firing. Judging by his best months, they tend to occur in February or March, so that will be an early sign of whether he can play more consistently throughout the year.

If he plays well, then he can earn his role next season, but if he can't and Castle plays well, then the Spurs may roll with Castle as the backup shooting guard. Losing his spot in the regular rotation would make it harder for him to prove himself, so it may not happen next season for Branham.