Stephon Castle is the San Antonio Spurs' new version of Manu Ginobili

With the season winding down, the San Antonio Spurs don't have much to play for, but Stephon Castle does. Castle is still vying for Rookie of the Year, and while he probably isn't solely motivated by that, he is definitely showing what he can do. He's put up strong numbers, primarily while having to play in the second unit with De'Aaron Fox and Chris Paul holding down the starting spots.

That has put him in some rare company, with him recently having the highest scoring average in a four-game span off the bench since Spurs Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili. Like Ginobili, Castle made the best of coming off the bench—putting up strong numbers of late. He's averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 assists over his last ten games and 17.4 points and four assists since January 13th in a 29-game span.

Even looking past the obvious parallels of the two Spurs having spent time playing in the second unit, Manu and Steph share more similarities.

Stephon Castle is the Spurs' new version of Manu Ginobili

For one, for most of Ginobili's career, he was the Spurs' secondary playmaker and thrived setting up teammates. He also mixed in fearless drives to the basket and knocking down threes.

Castle isn't necessarily a pure point guard, or at least he hasn't had the opportunity to play one full time, but with De'Aaron Fox in the fold long term, he and Castle will likely be the team's backcourt of the future.

He would also likely play a similar role as Ginobili played when paired alongside Tony Parker in the starting five. While Castle won't be tasked with bringing the ball up the court every possession, he can still create for himself and others while he relentlessly attacks the basket.

Stephon Castle has the potential to be the Spurs' third star

Comparing any Big Three to the legendary Spurs trio of Tim Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili is often a bad idea. Still, it's not impossible that San Antonio could build a similar trio with Victor Wembanyama, Fox, and Castle.

Wembanyama fills the Tim Duncan role as an elite rim protector and the foundation of their offense. Fox would be the Parker of the pack, being responsible for pushing the pace and creating easy baskets for himself in the paint and setting up teammates.

As for Ginobili, Castle has already shown that he is a relentless attack dog when there is daylight between him and the rim. If his three-point shot stabilizes, he could be a legitimate problem for opposing teams. Not just on offense either, with him already grading out as an above-average defender, giving the Spurs a potential third star in the making.

Ultimately, Castle has the opportunity to play a similar role on a contender as Ginobili did. If he can be anywhere near as good as Ginobili was in his role as a secondary playmaker and attack dog, then San Antonio should have a few championships in their future.