All-Star weekend is supposed to be filled with joy and excitement for the second half of the season. The same could be said in San Antonio, who recently acquired De'Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings before the trade deadline. The Spurs appeared ready to make a playoff push for the rest of the season until devastating news broke regarding Victor Wembanyama's health.
After participating in All-Star weekend activities (Skills Challenge and the All-Star game), Wembanyama returned to San Antonio, only for the San Antonio medical staff to find a blood clot in the Frenchman's right shoulder. Considered deep vein thrombosis, Wembanyama will be sidelined for the rest of the season to nurse his health setbacks.
Wembanyama's case isn't the first among professional athletes, as several other active (and retired) athletes have suffered similar injuries surrounding blood clots. With him officially out for the rest of the season, the Spurs' season could unfold for the better this season, which we assess below.
The Spurs should enter the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, shooting for a top-five pick.
With newly acquired De'Aaron Fox, the team could elect to fight like hell towards a playoff push. However, the logical move would be to do the complete opposite, with eyes on the NBA draft lottery. This year's draft class is considered one of the best in recent memory, unlike last year's class. With an increased talent pool this year, San Antonio could position itself for a top prospect for its future.
Cooper Flagg aside, 2025 sports superstar talent throughout the first half of the lottery, with names like Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and VJ Edgecombe alongside Flagg atop the draft. While Flagg is considered the 'cream of the crop,' this potentially all-time great group of rookies has talent across the board for San Antonio. If the Spurs could find a way to position themselves among the middle of the lottery, the organization's draft luck has been successful throughout its history. But how?
Shutting De'Aaron Fox down enables development for the Spurs.
The franchise's new point guard has been battling injuries all season. With Wembanyama's health sidelining him for the foreseeable future (the rest of the season), this opportunity in time serves as a chance for Fox to get physically right. San Antonio currently sits in the ninth lottery spot, with a near five percent chance of winning the first overall pick. Those odds should increase without Wemby.
Considering Wemby's absence, combined with Fox's nagging injuries, the team has an opportunity to play fully through its other core pieces in an effort to 'embrace the tank.' Rookie first-rounder Stephon Castle has emerged as the front runner for Rookie of the Year, while Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and others have remained instrumental parts to San Antonio's future.
Playing through Castle could further his development in his skillset as the lead focal point of the offense, while players like Vassell and Sochan can improve their weaknesses. The playoffs feel out of reach now that the team's franchise superstar is out, only increasing the importance of prioritizing San Antonio's future. Despite an improved draft class from a year ago, questions remain about the rest of the lottery, where the Spurs are currently positioned. With that in mind, tanking makes sense.
All eyes remain on San Antonio, but for different reasons than just a month ago, at the trade deadline. A full-throttle 'tank' appears in store for the Spurs to end the season, but it could land them another young, lottery piece as the team trends towards contention.