Spurs making Devin Vassell realization that was sitting in plain sight

Devin Vassell has been red-hot from three-point range lately, and it’s becoming more and more clear that the San Antonio Spurs should keep him out of trade talks. He fits well with their current roster. They’re one of the best teams in the NBA, and they don’t really need to trade him to improve. Vassell fits nicely.

Over the summer, and whenever Giannis Antetokounmpo or another superstar gets brought up in trade talks, Vassell’s name was thrown around in trade rumors. Or, at the very least, people were using him as salary filler in their potential mock trade ideas to bring Victor Wembanyama a co-star.

But the Spurs don’t need that. They should be realizing that Vassell should be viewed as a long-term piece. Not a trade chip.

Devin Vassell isn't a trade chip - he's a part of the future in San Antonio

Vassell played great in the Spurs’ 110-107 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. He finished the game with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, shooting an impressive 8-of-13 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range.

He’s been shooting the ball very well from distance as of late. In fact, in his first four games back from the All-Star break, he’s shooting a ridiculous 64.0% from deep on 6.4 three-point attempts per contest.

Obviously, that level of production and efficiency from deep range isn’t sustainable. But at the very least, it proved just how valuable he can be in this Spurs lineup.

The whole reason Vassell was put into potential trade talks (most of which were just people theorizing on the internet) was because it seemed like the Spurs could want to pair Wembanyama with another superstar.

If a guy like Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, or Devin Booker were ever to become available, Vassell’s contract could be used to match the salary in a deal.

But as the season has gone on, it’s become more and more clear that the Spurs don’t need to make a big-swing trade. They’re already one of the best teams in the league.

Vassell has started 43 of the 45 games he’s appeared in this season, and his 30.6 minutes per contest rank second on the team behind De’Aaron Fox (31.7).

And the Spurs are the second-best team in the West.

Vassell isn’t salary-filler. He’s not the type of player who should just be thrown into trade ideas.

He’s a staple of the Spurs’ lineup, and he should be a big part of their future.