San Antonio Spurs backup starting 5 if projected opening lineup flops
When the Spurs traded for Chris Paul, many fans were conflicted. So much time has been spent battling CP3 in important games, whether playoff seeding or an actual playoff game was on the line. He's spent his entire career in the Western Conference, making the playoffs in just about every season and identifying as a thorn in San Antonio's side.
Now, he's a member of the Silver and Black, forcing fans who have had a strong distaste for Paul to root for him. But the fact of the matter is that he's on the team now, and they'll have to get over it because the Point God is here to help the Spurs get to where they want to go. Even at 39, he's so skilled that his spot in the starting rotation is likely solidified.
Harrison Barnes is a consummate professional. He knows how to play on both sides of the floor and still holds too much value as a starter to even consider the notion of him coming off the bench. Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell are also locks to remain in the starting rotation for obvious reasons. Jeremy Sochan is the only player with question marks surrounding him coming into the new season.
San Antonio can't have another season hanging around the bottom of the league in three-point shooting. It has to be a point of emphasis. Everyone in the starting lineup has a shooting ability that fans should feel somewhat comfortable with, except for Sochan.
After his hot shooting start last season, he shot 19% in February and 23% in March. Injury cut his season short, so he didn't play in April. He can't be that bad for long stretches again.
His value on the floor right now rests in his defensive capabilities and hustle plays, but that's not going to be enough to keep a starting spot this year—at least, it shouldn't. With Barnes on the team, Coach Pop has another option at power forward who can stretch the floor and play with power.
If they move Sochan to the bench, that should be the plan. You could then insert Stephon Castle and task him with being the primary defender on some of the tougher matchups that Sochan would have taken. He comes into the league with high expectations for his defense, and San Antonio may need to lean on him for it.
Sochan could run with a bench unit of Tre Jones, Julian Champagnie, Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson. That lineup still has the length and the defensive guys to cause problems for opponents.
Meanwhile, Castle is more of a natural ball handler, so even if his three-ball isn't around the league average, he could be a playmaker. He can do all the other things Sochan does, i.e., cutting, keeping the ball moving and attacking the basket, and San Antonio could keep rolling.
When looking at this roster, what's clear is that for the first time in years, the Spurs have depth and versatility again. That's reason enough for excitement because now Coach Pop can get in his bag and show he's still the league's best general.
