Spurs biggest weakness won't make season harder than it should be

The San Antonio Spurs' biggest weakness heading into this season is their front-court depth, but it won't be as detrimental as some may think. Last season, the Spurs struggled with their three-point shooting, averaging just 34.7% from distance, and that was a major issue.

However, with the additions of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, along with expected growth from key players, this area should see marked improvement. While it’s unclear how big the jump in three-point production will be, the shooting should no longer hold the team back the way it did last year.

Front-court depth isn't as important as it used to be in the NBA

Now, the front-court depth is the largest concern. By the end of last season, injuries to Charles Bassey and a lack of minutes afforded to Sandro Mamukelashvili left the Spurs thin in the big man department. Zach Collins' presence on the roster seemed to enrage fans so much that they wanted to trade him for two Snickers and a yo-yo. But Collins ended the season playing much better than he’s been given credit for, even shooting over 40% from three in the last month and a half.

San Antonio hasn't made any splashy front-court additions, but that doesn't mean they're in trouble. Victor Wembanyama's minutes are expected to increase significantly, which will ease concerns in the paint. Additionally, Harrison Barnes has plenty of experience playing the four and can provide versatility in certain lineups. There aren't as many traditional big men in the NBA anymore, and teams no longer need to rely on bruisers off the bench to eat up minutes. Having someone like Collins who can stretch the floor and defend adequately makes him a valuable backup.

While some might argue that Collins' contract is a bit high for a backup center, it’s manageable. Plus, playing alongside a veteran point guard like Chris Paul or even Tre Jones should allow Collins to thrive. The bigger issue for the Spurs won’t be in the frontcourt—it will be in defending the perimeter, given that the modern NBA is dominated by dynamic guards and wings.

That’s where the Spurs’ young core of Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and rookie Stephon Castle come into play. Their defensive versatility will be critical in stopping elite guards and isolation scorers. If the Spurs can strengthen their perimeter defense, they'll be able to cover any gaps in front-court depth and, potentially, surprise the league with just how talented this roster is.