Spurs Fantasy Exit Interview: Finals loss won't stop Victor Wembanyama from being the 1.01 in drafts next season
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The San Antonio Spurs’ remarkable journey to the NBA Finals ended on Saturday as they lost the series to the New York Knicks in five games, 4-1. Despite having several chances, questionable coaching decisions and late-game struggles ultimately cost them a shot at the championship. Yet, with the depth and skill on this roster, it’s easy to see another deep playoff run happening next season. This exit interview examines a season defined by rapid growth, resilience and Victor Wembanyama’s breakout. Let’s break down the fantasy season and what’s ahead for this rising Spurs squad.

Wemby takes the throne

It’s happening. Victor Wembanyama had an MVP-level campaign in just his third NBA season. The phenom finished second overall in 9-cat and fifth in High Score, averaging an efficient 25-12-3 with 2 3s and 4 stocks per game. Wemby claimed his first Defense Player of the Year award while leading the NBA in blocks. There are no bounds for his upside in fantasy. He checks every box and he’s becoming the cheat code we expected. He was a beast throughout the postseason, too. He averaged 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steal, 3.5 blocks and 1.8 3s with 49/34/85 shooting splits.

One knock that I expect will be remedied in short order is that Wemby needs a back-to-the-basket move. With his size and presence, he’s too reliant on his jump shot. I anticipate we’ll see him in the lab with one of Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar this summer. Once he adds that to his game, it's over. Even without that go-to move, he’s the 1.01 now.

Other fantasy stars

Investing in Spurs guards is good business given their connection to Wemby’s gravity. While De'Aaron Fox saw dips in usage and shot volume, he still finished as a top-50 player in High Score and provided seventh-round value in 9-cat formats. His postseason, and especially his NBA Finals performance, did raise some red flags, though. It’s important to note he played through a high ankle sprain — a tough ask for a player whose game thrives on agility and speed. Ultimately, it was the clutch-time mistakes and getting outperformed by Dylan Harper that defined Fox’s Finals. As solid as Fox is, target Harper or Stephon Castle in fantasy drafts next season. Harper profiles as an ideal secondary creator, capable of scoring at all three levels and stuffing the stat sheet. His draft range is still a bit of a mystery — maybe the seventh round? Castle remains a work in progress when it comes to turnovers, but his growth as a shooter and a defender over the season and throughout the playoffs makes him a strong fifth-round target next year.

Devin Vassell failed to meet his 98th ADP, so I anticipate he’ll slide to the 10th or 11th rounds, offering modest production in points, threes and defensive stats. Keldon Johnson earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors but remained more of a fringe fantasy asset, while Julian Champagnie emerged as one of the most reliable three-point streamers, finishing the season on plenty of rosters. Both proved to be sneaky contributors on the boards, too.

Final thoughts

A 62-win campaign that ended in a trip to the NBA Finals from one of the youngest cores in the league tells you everything you need to know about the trajectory. They don’t have wiggle room from a cap perspective, but do hold the 20th pick in the draft and three second-rounders. Everyone is saying they should trade Fox. Between his big contract and his play (when healthy), he’s not going anywhere. Which makes things interesting for Harper. Again, he’s the guy I’m trying to scoop because it looks like we have an OKC James Harden in the making as a rookie.

I expect Vassell and Champagnie to be drafted in 9-cat leagues for their 3&D production, with Carter Bryant not quite ready to be a redraft target yet. He’s on my watchlist this summer because his defense, effort on the glass and any development of his 3-ball could give him some fantasy sleeper potential.  Bottom line: the Spurs are a team worth stacking because of Victor Wembanyama.



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