Three undeniable reasons the Spurs will make the playoffs this season

1. Wembanyama will take a substantial leap thanks to more minutes

It was evident last season that Wembanyama is a rising star in this league. He made countless highlights and put the rest of the NBA on notice that this will soon be a Wemby-dominated league.

During his rookie season, where he averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, four rebounds, and four blocks (league-leading), Wembanyama did all this on a minute restriction. Like many young players under Coach Gregg Popovich, Wembanyama was eased into NBA life regardless of his stardom before he even came to the United States.

This minute restriction was a big factor in the Spurs losing many close games as he was on the bench during critical moments. Popovich seemingly was not fazed by losing close games, as he instead focused on developing Wembanyama efficiently. If things had been different, the Spurs' 60 losses, which is a mark that has only happened three times in 40 years, would be far less. Chances are Popovich lets Wembanyama see more floor time this season after seeing his potential.

It is clear that Wembanyama can handle the load of an NBA season, and because of that, he is set to be unleashed like a rabid dog taken off his leash. With this, he can have a bigger impact on games, especially when he sees the floor during crunch time. With more minutes and with what Paul will do for his game, Wembanyama alone could take the Spurs to the next level.

With what is in place for the Spurs right now, Wembanyama is likely to be a first-time All-Star and eventually enter the conversation for the game's best center. Overall, he could make a substantial leap in year two, leading to a more successful 2024–2025 season for the Spurs.

The Spurs have been a dominant franchise for the last 20 years, and not seeing them among the league's best just does not feel right. Luckily for them, they are knocking at the door of basketball relevancy again.