Spurs will face Devin Vassell decision that just kicked Lu Dort off Thunder

The San Antonio Spurs will soon face a financial decision between keeping Devin Vassell or trading him to dodge the second apron. The rival Oklahoma City Thunder just lost Luguentz Dort in this same scenario. Keeping Dort meant exceeding the second apron, paying hundreds of millions in luxury tax, and facing roster-building restrictions. Instead, the Thunder sent Dort to Atlanta for draft capital to stay under the dreaded second apron.

Vassell has three years and $80.1 million left on his contract. The Spurs are $2.1 million under the tax this season, but will exceed it next season without shedding salary as Victor Wembanyama’s extension kicks in. He took less to avoid this headache, but it won’t last. Even if San Antonio lets Keldon Johnson walk to avoid it next summer, they will have more difficult decisions to make in 2028 when Stephon Castle’s extension kicks in.

In the summer of 2028, Vassell will be in the exact position Dort faced this summer. He will have one year left on his contract with a teammate's max extension likely kicking in. The Spurs will need a power forward to replace Tobias Harris and will have to give Castle a $30 million per year raise. It will force San Antonio to decide between exceeding the second apron and trading Vassell to dodge it.

Spurs will be forced to make a Devin Vassell decision that Thunder had with Lu Dort

Vassell is a starting 3-and-D wing who has been forced to sacrifice for the team’s success. His field goal attempts have declined every year since 2023, and he’s gone from averaging 19.5 points to 13.9 last season. The Spurs have become a serious contender, and his sacrifice will grow after the Tobias Harris signing.

Dort saw his scoring and minutes decrease for four straight years before the Thunder moved on. He went from 17.2 points per game in 2022 to 8.3 last season. Oklahoma City kept adding talent and pushing Dort further down the pecking order.

To further the connection, Dort is 27 years old, and Vassell will be 27 in 2028. They are both entering the final year of their contract when the decision reaches a breaking point.

The Thunder moved on from Dort before things got too messy. The Spurs will likely do the same, as Dylan Harper’s extension will make the headache worse in the summer of 2029. Oklahoma City has the same issue next summer, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets a $20 million-per-season raise.

This is not a forgone conclusion. The Spurs could get creative and try to keep Vassell. Fans are already discussing a De’Aaron Fox trade. San Antonio could try to move on Keldon, Harris, and Julian Champagnie to keep all their top-end talent.

The second apron forces difficult decisions. The easiest route is trimming off a starter or two that keeps seeing his role decline. It was Luguentz Dort for the Thunder, and Devin Vassell is in the same position for San Antonio. Spurs fans don’t want to see him go, but the franchise can’t pay everyone. Wemby, Castle, and Harper will all get massive raises when eligible for restricted free agency. That will put a squeeze on what role players can stick around them.

Vassell could take less in his next contract to try to stay in San Antonio. The Spurs can’t afford to pay him $27.5 million per year when their three stars get extensions. Isaiah Hartenstein did this to stay on the Thunder. It would take a bigger sacrifice from Vassell to keep him, but fans should rule it out completely.

The San Antonio Spurs face some difficult financial decisions moving forward. Wemby took less to help, but he starts his 25 percent max contract next summer. Castle and Harper follow the next two years. Giving these three the deals they are worth could cost the Spurs Devin Vassell. It would be a repeat of what just happened between Lu Dort and the Thunder, so fans can’t be shocked. The financial pain is coming, so start preparing now.

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