Spurs’ underrated player will be a breakout Sixth Man of the Year candidate

Every season, there is always one player who defies the odds and destroys expectations, quickly becoming one of the team's most impactful players seemingly out of nowhere. But who would we be if we weren't trying to guess before the season?

When traversing the Spurs roster, one player stood out in particular as someone who can break the barrier and be one of the key factors to the Spurs' success. This player has had an up-and-down career thus far, battling through inconsistencies and injuries, but is now primed to solidify himself. His name is Devin Vassell.

Devin Vassell is healthy and his role is as clear as ever

As an up-and-coming player in the NBA, one of the biggest hurdles is trying to find consistency. Whether that be because injuries derail positive strides or your role is never defined. It is not easy for NBA players to cement themselves as their true selves. In the case of Vassell, he has finally conquered these demons.

Last season, the 6'5" shooter missed all of training camp and the beginning of the season. His season was off to a rough start before it even started. He spent the majority of the year playing catch-up, leaving him little to no time to prepare for the year. This had a significant impact on his production. Now, the former Seminole is granted a whole summer of training and will be ready to roll once the season begins.

Further bringing clarity to his season, Vassell's role on the team is defined and straightforward. Instead of jumping between the bench and starting lineup and receiving a different workload every game, he is etched in as the team's sixth man.

Devin Vassell has Sixth Man of the Year potential for the Spurs

The former 11th overall pick should take pride in this role and maximize his opportunities to succeed. He will have a green light to shoot the ball and will be paired with an excellent surrounding cast, including Dylan Harper, Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson. As the solidified best scorer of the group, Vassell's hands will be a magnet for the ball.

Everything is there for Vassell to return to the glory he felt in the 2023-24 season. In this season, Dev averaged career highs across the board and played his most efficient season to date. This year, he avoided injury and had plenty of scoring chances on a weaker Spurs roster. Much like that season, the 24-year-old will not have any barriers blocking him from dominating.

While his scoring total won't match his prior breakout year because of fewer minutes, his efficiency will rise significantly. With his onslaught of scoring off the bench, the midrange master will become a key component of an overachieving Spurs team in 2025-26. All of this makes for a player fit to win Sixth Man of the Year. Call up your bookie and make your bet for Vassell, and be ready to win a boatload of cash.