Rising and falling: Castle stock purchases halted after skyrocketing display

Shut down the market. No new bandwagoners will be accepted aboard the Stephon Castle hype train. His selection with the number four pick in the 2024 draft has already been categorized as a home run, but that needs to be amended to a Grand Slam. This kid is worth the price of admission, and that says a lot when you have Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul on the court, but he deserves recognition.

Castle is acing his preseason test

He spoke after Wednesday's preseason game versus the Orlando Magic and stated he wanted to improve on his performance from game one. After watching the film, he knew he could do better. Castle had six turnovers against the Thunder and felt he should have been more aggressive on both sides of the ball.

It manifested to the tune of 17 points, 40% from three, 7-10 from the free throw line, and two steals. That's a full night's work for a rookie, and he did it in 21 minutes. He continues to play with mature poise, and the game hasn't looked too fast. The UConn standout has been so good that he deserved mention in a section above the rest of the guys because he's still just a rookie but looks like a vet.

Sochan, Wesley, Mamu and Champagnie continue to thrive and rise

Jeremy Sochan mentioned being excited about getting back to playing his natural role full-time. That position in a positionless NBA is being the everything guy, and he thrives when his responsibility is to just play basketball. He's been fantastic through two games.

In game one, the Polish Prince posted nine points, six rebounds, four assists, and a block. He followed that up by shooting 5-6 from the field and 2-2 from the foul line for 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. He's been a menace on defense, and he's always in the right spot. Sochan is poised for a great year.

Blake Wesley had seven assists to one turnover in game one and dished out five more assists with no turnovers in game two. He continues to hassle opposing offenses and is making great decisions with the ball. He doesn't force anything and has so much speed he can dictate matchups when he pushes the pace. He's been phenomenal.

Sandro Mamukelashvili and Julian Champagnie go together again, for the same reason as they did before. Their role is similar, albeit from a different position on the floor. Defend, play hard, hustle and knock down your open threes when you have a chance. They've both continued to do that at a very high level. At this rate, Mamu may take Zach Collins' position as the presumed backup center.

Champagnie has looked so good as a shooter that the Spurs should feel good about starting the season with him as a starter if that's how the pecking order shakes out with Devin Vassell out early. You can't give him an inch. He's been a deadeye, shooting nearly 50% through two games. A special shoutout goes to his rebounding. He's pulled down seven in each game.

Malaki Branham is headed toward a disappointing conclusion

Things just aren't clicking for Malaki Branham. He's spoken about how much work he put in over the summer to improve. The St. Mary's product is supposed to be able to pour in buckets. Defense is something he's trying to add to his game, and that's been enough of a struggle, but when your claim to the NBA isn't reliable, you'll find yourself on the edge of a bubble soon to burst.

Blake Wesley is going to end up getting his contract extended, and Branham will be left on the outside looking in. The way Malachi Flynn and Riley Minix have looked, it may be more beneficial to release Branham and sign one of those guys for additional depth. It would be an unfortunate end for Branham, but he hasn't taken the steps the organization is undoubtedly looking for him to take.

There's way more good than bad after the first two preseason games. The Spurs look poised to make a run as soon as the gates open and the regular season race begins. That's exactly what fans need to see.