Vassell timeline provides early opportunity for new Spur to show why he's here

The San Antonio Spurs are heading into the start of the season with a noticeable void—Devin Vassell is expected to miss at least the first five games before being re-evaluated on November 1 as he recovers from offseason surgery.

It's important to note that Vassell has not suffered any reported setbacks and is following the timeline set after addressing the stress fracture injury he sustained at the end of last season. His absence means the Spurs will be without one of their most dynamic scoring threats, as Vassell’s 20 points per game and ability to score from all three levels will be sorely missed.

However, as any good team knows, the show must go on, and this early challenge presents an opportunity for the Spurs’ newest veteran acquisition, Chris Paul, to demonstrate exactly why he was brought in to lead the Silver and Black.

Paul's on-court leadership will be needed early

Despite his 39 years of age, Paul has proven time and again that he can take command of a team, especially when one of their top players is sidelined. His arrival in San Antonio came with high expectations, and this could be his first big chance to deliver.

The Point God will be tasked with orchestrating the Spurs' offense without their primary wing scorer, and it won’t be easy. The Spurs face a tough eight-game opening stretch, including matchups against the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves—all teams projected to make deep playoff runs.

Without their second scoring option, the Spurs will have to rely even more heavily on Victor Wembanyama, whose sophomore season hype nearly rivals his rookie year, and Harrison Barnes, whose veteran presence will be invaluable during these crucial early games.

Though Vassell’s absence will be felt on both ends of the floor, good teams find ways to stay competitive and fight through adversity. But Paul will have his hand on the wheel, so there’s reason to believe the Spurs can weather this storm.

CP3’s experience as a floor general—his ability to create shots for others, control the pace, and manage tight end-of-game situations—is precisely what San Antonio needs in Vassell’s absence.

This isn’t Paul’s first rodeo leading a young team. He helped shape the Phoenix Suns into a contender, and his leadership for the Spurs can help mold this young roster into a winning one as well.

With Wembanyama developing into a centerpiece and the Spurs’ collection of young talent eager to prove themselves, Paul’s role is not just to fill the leadership void but to bring order to the offense and keep the team competitive.

The new starting point guard's partnership with Coach Pop offers the Spurs a unique advantage. Combining Popovich’s decades of basketball wisdom with Paul’s on-court leadership and IQ gives the Spurs a chance to navigate these tough early games effectively. Even without Vassell’s scoring punch, there’s optimism that Paul and the Spurs' assembled pieces can still pull off some early wins.

Ultimately, Vassell’s absence is an opportunity for Chris Paul to show why the Spurs brought him in. His ability to guide this team through adversity could set the tone for the season, keeping the Spurs afloat until Vassell returns and helping the team realize its full potential with their entire core intact. The NBA journey begins on October 24 for San Antonio, and CP3 will be key to holding down the fort.