Ranking the 4 best possible Spurs lineups for the 2023–24 season

3.) Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, and Wembanyama

This particular lineup incarnation is potentially promising on both ends of the floor. On defense, Vassell, Johnson, and Sochan are able to switch defensive assignments, particularly with Wembanyama backing them up. He could not only anchor the unit defensively but also be the team's offensive focal point by acting as a hub in the post.

He can also pull opposing fives away from the basket. In fact, the Spurs would assuredly use Wemby in pin-downs to create open jumpers for him, which would also force big men to chase him away from the paint. Or, they could use him as a decoy, making it much harder for opposing centers to protect the basket.

There is definitely mismatched potential, but there are some definite drawbacks, such as the aforementioned questionable shooting that comes with playing Jones and Sochan together. Jones is a below-average 3-point shooter at this point, and while Sochan has made strides, he probably won't be a knockdown shooter next year either. Going small is often used to get more shooting on the floor and having two players not be able to knock down threes would definitely limit this lineup's ceiling.

But with Wembanyama at center, there are ways to counteract that. Using backdoor cuts when defenders leave Jones or Sochan and having Sochan stand in the dunker spot baseline just outside the paint are possible options. It might not be the most effective offensive unit but if even one of those two becomes a better shooter, this unit looks a lot more appealing.