Despite missing 10 straight games, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle didn’t miss a beat after his recent return. He has made an immediate impact since rejoining the Spurs and just had his most impressive game of the season.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers, he posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, helping the Spurs advance to the NBA Cup Semifinals and showing why he is off-limits in trade targets. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon agrees, with him recently declaring the Spurs aren’t trading Castle or even Dylan Harper in a blockbuster deal.
That would seemingly put to bed the rumors of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, with the Spurs apparently staking their hopes on their young core. Castles’ quick emergence has helped to propel the Spurs into contention with him on the cusp of stardom.
He has seen his scoring average jump by 3.5 points, his rebounding tick up from 3.7 to 6.1 boards, and his assists improve to 7.3 per game. His efficiency has taken a major leap as well. He’s shooting nearly 10% better on 2-point field goals, hitting a shocking 60.3% of his twos.
Even though his 3-point and free throw shooting haven’t improved, his true shooting percentage is above league average. Make no mistake, his improvement in his second season has him on a star trajectory.
Stephon Castle is officially off limits in trade talks
Even with the Spurs rolling, they have yet to have any consistency. First it was Victor Wembanyama and Castle carrying them, then De’Aaron Fox leading the team without those two players.
Now, with Castle back and Wembanyama returning, the Spurs will finally see what this roster looks like at full strength. Chances are they should be even better than they are now, but how they will play is still a mystery.
San Antonio thrived offensively with Fox as the focal point, even more so than with Wembanyama and Castle in Area 51 mode. However, since he’s returned, Castle has been playing more with the ball in his hands when paired with Fox. There is also the question of how Wembanyama fits into things.
Figuring out how to maximize all three players is a good problem for coach Mitch Johnson to have, and the Spurs appear to already have a big three in place. Castle is clearly the Manu Ginobili of the group and can swing games in a number of ways.
The Spurs already know that and would be foolish to move him, especially with him rapidly developing while also still on a rookie-scale deal. Castle isn’t going anywhere.
