Stephon Castle has quietly become the key to the Spurs' title chances

What if I told you that the most important player to the Spurs' title contention status is not Victor Wembanyama or De'Aaron Fox but rather Stephon Castle? This is a theory that may very well be deemed true. Allow me to explain.

Stephon Castle is in the midst of his second season in the NBA. It's not common that somebody as young as 21 years old holds the keys to title contention. But that is the case in San Antonio. No matter what happens around him, the eventual success or failure of this team will come at the hands of the sophomore.

Stephon Castle's 3-point shot has never been more crucial

When you watch any Spurs game, one thing always stands out: this team struggles to shoot threes. Stephon Castle is a big part of that. The struggling shooter is hitting just 28.1% of his three-point looks this season. He finished his rookie year with a very similar number. It's no grand statement to say that he has had difficulties in this part of his game.

However, there's no reason he can't improve. Like we have seen so often in the NBA, players can skyrocket their shooting numbers in the blink of an eye. It just takes hard work, dedication, and excellent coaching. This is something that Castle is very capable of doing. If he can figure it out, the results will be astounding.

If Castle can find a way to become just incrementally better from beyond the arc, everything will open up. Defenders will start to recognize the potential danger of a jumper, which could allow the rest of the squad to gain an advantage.

For a team built around the paint, having just a fraction more room to operate would be huge. Plus, with a viable jump shot, the youngster's offensive game will be all the more deadly.

Castle applies the defensive pressure the Spurs need

Not only is Castle's offensive growth immensely crucial for the offense, but his defensive presence is equally valuable. The 6'6" guard is built to be a powerful defender in the NBA. He has all of the tools to shut down opposing guards and create havoc across the court. The Spurs need him to do exactly that on a night-to-night basis.

When the Spurs eventually wind up in a pivotal playoff series, it will be up to Castle to take command. Because the Western Conference is full of elite guards, the defensive stalwart will have a cast of important matchups. It is essential that he take control.

While Victor Wembanyama oversees the paint, it will be up to Stephon to eliminate the opposing team's lead ball-handler. If he can successfully do this by bringing the full intensity we know he has, the Spurs defense will be impenetrable.

Whether you like it or not, the fate of San Antonio will come down to Stephon Castle. If the young guard is able to improve his jump shot and consistently apply defensive pressure, this team has the potential to win a championship. But if he fails to improve, the offense will continue to stagnate, and the defense won't bring the punch needed to win it all.