Drafting the perfect 'Popovich Tree' coach lineup to develop Wembanyama

With Summer League wrapping up in the next four days, the focus will shift completely to the main roster. With the addition of Victor Wembanyama, every facet of the team will be analyzed to decide what road the Spurs should take this season, including their coaches. With Gregg Popovich at the helm and Brett Brown as his lead assistant, the Spurs have a solid foundation of leadership behind their experience mentoring international superstars.

The current coaching staff deserves a chance to help elevate San Antonio back to the NBA's Diamond Level status. They've put in tremendous time with a losing roster and accumulated brownie points for their patience. Now it's time for them to reap the benefits. Fantasy basketball is on the horizon as the league prepares for another grueling 82-game season, so let's take a journey into an alternate reality where we can choose the perfect ensemble of coaches to kick off the Wemby era.

1.) Jacque Vaughn

Jacque Vaughn is deserving of the multi-year extension he received from the Brooklyn Nets for turning around a dismal season after the dismissal of Steve Nash. He took a franchise that lost the generational talents of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant and finished the season 34-24, guiding them to the NBA Playoffs as the sixth seed while avoiding the Play-In Tournament altogether. Despite a first-round sweep at the hands of Joel Embiid and the 76ers, Vaughn showed his ability to lead and teach at a high level.

Spurs fans will remember Jacque Vaughn as a backup point guard to Tony Parker from 2006 to 2009. He brought veteran leadership to the team, carrying himself as a true professional in a limited role. He only played a total of 41 minutes in the 2007 NBA Finals, but Vaughn earned his championship ring by being an outstanding teammate. His intelligence and maturity as a player led to an opportunity as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich in 2010.

Coach Vaughn only spent two seasons in San Antonio before spreading his wings and landing his first head coaching gig in Orlando. He's had multiple stops across the league, accumulating plenty of knowledge and experience after spending over a decade on the sidelines. Last season, the California native showed he understands how to get a young team to work together and believe in each other. Brooklyn had a new swagger when he took over, and the Spurs could always use that energy.

2.) Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson, affectionately referred to as The Little General during his playing days, would be a perfect addition to the coaching staff. From the beginning of his coaching career, he demonstrated an ability to lead players effectively, making his moniker one of the most accurate nicknames to date. As the starting point guard of the 1999 championship team, Johnson has the type of cachet not all play callers can initially command.

Johnson began his coaching career under the stewardship of the legendary Don Nelson for the rival Dallas Mavericks. When Nelson stepped aside and gave him the reins, he quickly solidified himself as one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the league, reaching 50 wins faster than any other coach in NBA history. Johnson won Coach of the Year in 2006, and he has bounced around to the Nets and had a four-year stint as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

His time as head coach for multiple franchises will be an asset, but the true value Johnson brings is his experience with talented big men. From playing alongside David Robinson and Tim Duncan to coaching Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, The Little General has an understanding of how to run things through and around a generational frontcourt player. Wembanyama and the team as a whole could benefit from the teachings of Avery Johnson.

3.) Chip Engelland

This one is easy. Chip Engelland was one of the main lynchpins in the past successes of this storied development staff. His ability to improve the shot of just about every single player willing to put in the work is second to none. For years, Engelland was the best-kept secret in the NBA, but once word got out about his coveted coaching skills, teams tried to poach him left and right. Even Steve Kerr tried to make a move on the talented teacher when he got the Golden State job.

The Spurs gave raises and promotions to Engelland to keep him on the staff as long as possible, even moving the shooting coach to the front of the bench, an unprecedented move at the time. However, a lucrative from the Thunder convinced him to change allegiances last summer. Josh Giddey has raved about the effect Engelland has had on his jumper since arriving in Oklahoma City, and there are many similar stories from guys like Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard, who swear by the revered shot doctor.

Victor Wembanyama has a smooth game with a sweet-looking form on his shot, but he still requires work for it to become consistent. His stroke will improve with time on the court, but working with Chip Engelland could streamline that development. Imagine the leap the Silver and Black could make if he could bestow elite shooting touch upon Wemby, Jeremy Sochan, and the rest of the young core. Why don't you come on back from OKC, Engelland? You miss the breakfast tacos, don't you?