Spurs vindicated for passing on undersized guard just put on trade block

Remember when the Spurs had two draft picks in the top 10 of the 2024 draft, and instead of using them both, they drafted Stephon Castle with the fourth selection and traded the eighth? Fans weren't happy about that. They wanted Rob Dillingham to be San Antonio's starting point guard of the future, and so did he, but it's a good thing Brian Wright decided against it.

You never want to see young players fail, so this is unfortunate for Dillingham, but the truth is that he hasn't been very good at the NBA level. His ceiling is probably going to be an instant offense guy off the bench, but he hasn't gotten there yet.

It's especially damning because the Timberwolves traded up to get him because they needed a point guard, but we're into his second season, and he doesn't get much run. Last season, they opted to stick with 37-year-old Mike Conley over Rob, and this season, they don't even have a starting floor general. The Spurs, on the other hand, are in point guard heaven.

The Spurs are in an enviable position

Instead of adding a second young ballhandler to the rotation last year, the Spurs brought in Chris Paul. The team was young enough. They needed a veteran guard who understood how to set up offenses, manipulate defenses, and close games to teach the 25-and-under club how winners get the job done in the NBA.

That paid off in a major way. They were better than expected in the 2024-25 season, and they've taken what they've learned into this year's campaign. It's not a coincidence that San Antonio has been one of the better closing teams in the NBA when games are tight (despite their recent struggles).

CP3 showed them how to slow the game down in the crucial moments of a game to get the best shots. He was a vocal leader on both sides, providing real-life examples of how to communicate on the fly to wade through the deep waters of the league's elite. Dillingham couldn't have provided those things.

He's an undersized guard at 6'2", 175 pounds in today's NBA. The Spurs' smallest core player is 6'3" and 185. It's not that much bigger, but as my ex-girlfriend will tell you, every inch matters. And that player just happens to be De'Aaron Fox—one of the best point guards in the league.

San Antonio now has a rotation of three guards who have the size, speed, and scoring ability to change games. They can defend and aren't liabilities when their numbers are called. On top of that, the Spurs have an additional draft pick in 2031 at their disposal because of the 2024 draft-day trade. They were smart in the now while looking to keep building for a bright future. That's fantastic work.