Ultimate Spurs 2024-25 season report card for every rotation player

Now that the San Antonio Spurs' regular season is over, it is a perfect time to see which players lived up to expectations and which underperformed. Grading each player on a letter scale comes with the caveat that their grades are relative to expectations.

I.e., Blake Wesley had very different expectations from Victor Wembanyama. Next, we'll give every Spurs rotation player who played significant minutes a grade.

Chris Paul

Paul successfully completed his 20th season and first year with the Spurs while giving the team some much-needed playmaking and veteran leadership. Paul became the oldest player to play all 82 games and averaged a more than respectable 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in 28 minutes per game.

As far as living up to expectations, Paul definitely did, with him giving the Spurs dramatic improvement at their weakest position. If he is willing to accept a bench role next season, they would love to have him back.

Grade: A-

Stephon Castle

Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephon Castle appears to have the highest ceiling of any player in the 2024 draft class. That raises the possibility that he could emerge as a third star for the Spurs, with him proving to be a terrific slasher who can craftily get into the paint and finish above the rim. He was also impactful defensively. He'll have to work on his shooting, but it's hard to find too many faults in his rookie season.

Grade: A

De'Aaron Fox

Star De'Aaron Fox played just 19 games with the Spurs after being acquired midseason from the Kings. His numbers were down significantly from his time with the Kings, but he still averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 assists even while playing injured.

That is a solid baseline, with him hopefully being far better with time to recover this summer after having surgery on his hand. That, followed by a training camp with his new team and more playing time with Wembanyama, should maximize his potential next season.

As is, Fox was good, but it's hard to grade him given where the Spurs were when Wembanyama was ruled out for the season.

Grade: INC

Devin Vassell

What an odd season for Devin Vassell. He got off to a strong start, coming off the bench and averaging 20 points in his first nine games. However, after rejoining the starting lineup, he mainly struggled, including a disastrous February.

To his credit, he did have a much better March, but his season was mostly a disappointment. His big contract might give Spurs fans pause going forward. But if he can settle into a role as a fourth scorer who can average around 17 or 18 a game, then his declining contract will be fine going forward. However, his season makes that uncertain.

Grade: C+

Harrison Barnes

Although he was acquired in a salary dump from the Sacramento Kings, Harrison Barnes was a perfect addition to the team. His size, shooting, ability to attack closeouts, and scoring off cuts made him a great fit next to Victor Wembanyama. Not only that, but he played all 82 games, giving the Spurs a steady and reliable player this season.

Grade: A-

Victor Wembanyama

Despite playing barely more than half of the season, Victor Wembanyama earns a top grade. While he had his ups and downs, particularly on offense with him getting off to a slow start, he still averaged 24.3 points on good efficiency en route to his first all-star appearance.

He accomplished that by expanding his game, getting up 8.8 threes per game, and hitting a respectable 35.2% from three. Emerging as a high-volume 3-point shooter is a major development that could lead to big things down the road for Wembanyama.

Defensively, he was even more dominant than he was during his rookie season. He was the frontrunner to win Defensive Player of the Year, and if healthy next season, he should finally collect some hardware.

Grade: A

Blake Wesley

For someone who collected DNPs like candy early on this season, Blake Wesley had a solid end to the year. He is legitimately a problem on defense, finding a perfect way to utilize his speed to help fill a need on the Spurs.

Offensively, it's still a work in progress, with him shooting below the league average from every distance on the floor, even though his 3-point shot looks smoother.

Even so, his defense and energy are worth keeping around for at least one more season, with him having only a $4.7 million salary for 2025-26. With the status of Chris Paul's return uncertain, giving Wesley a shot at backup point guard seems reasonable.

Grade: B-

Keldon Johnson

It was a tale of two halves for Big Body. Pre-All-Star Keldon Johnson was solid if a bit inconsistent. Post-all-star break, Johnson was a completely different player, averaging 14.8 points and a terrific 61.3% true shooting, resulting in increased efficiency and more consistent play.

When Johnson's shot is falling from outside, he is an above-average player, which also perfectly complements his relentless attacking. If he can play like that over an entire season, then he could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. That would allow him to prove that he is indispensable for a young Spurs team, with Johnson already being the longest-tenured player on the team.

Grade: B

Julian Champagnie

Wing Julian Champagnie has solidified himself as a part of the Spurs rotation, even after he was demoted to the bench. His play with the second unit was still more than respectable, with him being one of the few reliable shooters the Spurs have, and he was also able to defend his position.

He may not get much better than he is now, but Champagnie could still prove to be a useful rotation player. Especially with him on a cheap contract for the next three seasons.

Grade: B

Sandro Mamukelashvili

Given his solid play throughout the season, it seems as though Sandro Mamukelashvili was jerked around a bit. He probably should have earned a spot in the rotation long before he actually did.

It took Zach Collins being traded, Wembanyama being ruled out for the season, and Charles Bassey getting injured for Mamu to earn a consistent place on the floor. That allowed him to solidify his role, including a ridiculous 34-point performance against the New York Knicks in just 17 minutes.

His shooting, ability to score off cuts, and overall basketball IQ made him a solid backend rotation player who should come back next season.

Grade: B+

Jeremy Sochan

Prior to breaking his hand, Jeremy Sochan looked like he might be a most improved player candidate. Upon his return to the lineup, his role changed, with him playing backup center.

He was still effective, particularly on the defensive end, with him grading out as a terrific perimeter defender. Sochan also made major strides as a finisher in the paint, helping him become a much more competent offensive player.

His development as a shooter has been much slower; the hitch in his shot seemingly comes and goes, and he doesn't appear closer to being a respectable high-volume shooter.

That hurts his ceiling as a player and forces players such as Castle or Wembanyama to develop into above-average shooters. That would allow the three of them to play together with Fox and Vassell--the team's best potential lineup. That makes this season a bit of a mixed bag, but Sochan is still clearly a part of the Spurs' future.

Grade: B-

Ultimately, despite the Spurs failing to make the playoffs or play-in, many of the Spurs' rotation players actually played well. With a few tweaks, they could be competing in postseason games this time next year.