Spurs quietly find brilliant resolution to devastating shooting woes

The San Antonio Spurs are testing the boundaries of the importance of fit. With Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper, the Spurs have built a captivating trio flush with All-Star potential and the ability to create easier looks for Victor Wembanyama.

Unfortunately, San Antonio is also embracing a vision that depends heavily on non-shooters learning to coexist—an issue the franchise may have found an early resolution to.

In 2024-25, Castle shot 28.5 percent from beyond the arc and Fox buried 31.0 percent of his shots from distance. As a team, the Spurs ranked No. 20 in three-point field goal percentage—and Harper shooting 33.3 percent at the collegiate level is unlikely to inspire faith that he can resolve the issue. Thankfully, a new arrival could help.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Spurs have hired Rashard Lewis as a player development coach.

Lewis won't be able to single-handedly fix the Spurs' shooting woes, but he's as qualified as anyone to impart wisdom on how to improve a jumper.

Rashard Lewis joins Spurs as player development coach

Lewis played 16 seasons in the Association, twice earning All-Star honors. That includes 2008-09, when he was named to the All-Star Game and helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA Finals by averaging 19.0 points per game during the playoffs.

One of the primary elements of Lewis' success in the NBA was his unique combination of size and shooting ability that in many respects predated modern trends.

Listed at 6'10", Lewis posted a career average of 1.7 three-point field goals made on 38.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc. That includes a run between 2003-04 and 2009-10 when he averaged 18.6 points and 2.4 three-point field goals made on .451/.395/.812 shooting.

Considering he rose to prominence before Kevin Durant was drafted or Stephen Curry revolutionized the green light shooters now have, Lewis' volume and efficiency are even more significant.

With this in mind, one can't help but wonder how Lewis might be able to help the Spurs' less efficient shooters right the ship. He began his career by shooting 16.7 and 33.3 percent from three-point range during his first two NBA seasons, but reached 43.2 percent by year three.

Perhaps it's unreasonable to hope that players such as Castle, Fox, Harper, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan can be that efficient, but Lewis can still help them with mechanics and confidence.

If that were to transpire, Wembanyama would certainly have an easier time finding space within the three-point line. Simultaneous to that development could be Lewis helping Wembanyama improve his own jumper along the way.

Lewis may not be taking the court, but he has all of the tools to thrive as a player development coach and teach the non-shooters the tricks of the trade.