Spurs’ most devastating dynamic duo involves Wemby and a surprising name

After a strong start to the season, the San Antonio Spurs suddenly look like contenders with two players leading the charge.

While most expected that De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama would form a dynamic duo, in Fox's absence, Devin Vassell has stepped up. His play out of the gate has been encouraging, to say the least, with him looking like the best version of himself.

Last season, he started the year by missing both the preseason and the first few games of the regular season. When he finally made his debut, he never quite looked right. His numbers were down, and his overall play led many to question whether he was worth his contract.

With Wembanyama averaging 30 points per game with great efficiency, it's easy to have a positive net rating. Nevertheless, Vassell's play on both ends of the floor has contributed to the pairing's success.

Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama have formed a dynamic duo

He has been far more locked in defensively this season, playing far closer to the above-average level he played at during his first two seasons in the NBA. Playing great team defense is well within Vassell's wheelhouse, and he's done just that.

Offensively, he has perfectly fit a role as a sharpshooter, aggressively taking and making threes and knocking down pull-up jumpers. That is a massive development considering the Spurs are dangerously light on shooting. Especially with Wembanyama attempting just 2.8 threes per game, compared to 8.8 3-point attempts per game last season.

Vassell, through five games, is shooting a blistering 40.5% from three on 8.4 3-point attempts per game. That may be slightly over his head, but not by much. In 2022-23, he shot nearly 39% from three on 7.0 3-point attempts per game.

A revitalized Devin Vassell is bolstering the San Antonio Spurs

If he can shoot close to that mark over the course of the season, then the Spurs' biggest problem offensively becomes less of an issue. Particularly when paired with Wembanyama's offensive explosion, with him also scoring much more efficiently.

That highlights the need for Vassell to have a strong bounce-back season. While he may only be the third or fourth option, the best version of himself can easily average between 18 and 20-plus points per game.

That potentially gives the Spurs a huge opportunity. With Vassell reemerging as an elite shooter who can score effectively on low usage, he should seamlessly fit next to both Wembanyama and Fox and even Stephon Castle, who has taken on a larger role offensively.

With the Spurs off to their best start in years, Vassell and Wembanyama's strong play on both ends has been a crucial part of their early success. As the Spurs get healthy, if Vassell continues his strong start, then San Antonio could absolutely contend this season.