San Antonio moves Vembanjam, signs Stephon Castle

The San Antonio Spurs took the expected but important steps of locking up team contract options Victor Vembanyama and Stephen Castle. As Wemby enters his third NBA season, the franchise has exercised a fourth-year option on his core. Similarly, the now reigning Castle is Rookie of the Year locked in during 2026-27 as well.

Listed at 7-foot-4, over two years, Vembanyama has shown the ability that makes him popular choice to become the next face of the league. After making an NBA All-Star last season, he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, led the league with 3.8 blocks and 1.1 steals as a starter and played in 46 games before his season was cut short by deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

While working his way back, the 21-year-old center was cleared before the start of training camp and says there are no lingering concerns that the injury could recur.

“No, not at all,” Vembanyama stated during the team’s media day. “Medically, there’s nothing to worry about. And as for my personal concerns, I’m over it.”

The Spurs’ leading scorer won the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year and is the only player in league history to have 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 200 blocks and 200 three-pointers in his first two NBA seasons.

“It’s been months since I’ve felt as confident in the movement as I have in the way my body works in my physiology,” Wemby continued as he prepared for the 2024-25 campaign.

“I feel that now I have to play basketball. Obviously, I played basketball almost all summer. But, with my body, there are only so many steps that I will take this summer,” added the Frenchman. “I’m just going to get a lot better. I already, I think I’ve made the most of what I could do in one summer.”

Through four preseason games. Vembanjama continued to show his skill for highlight-worthy the game. But he also asked to get his teammates more involved.

“Now, I have to play basketball and work on my team skills tactically. So, yeah, I want to play,” Wemby admitted of the time of year when stars don’t get on the court for significant minutes.

“I have to play. I mean, I miss it.”

The Spurs extended the contract with Stephon Castle

A versatile 6-foot-6 guard, Castle gave the Spurs their second consecutive NBA Rookie of the Year when he won the award last season. The former UConn Husky, a unanimous NBA All-Rookie First Team selection, appeared in 80 games, starting 47, averaging a rookie-high 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds. The 20-year-old guard led all first-year players in total points, made field goals, total steals and free throws.

The organization is exercising the team’s third-year option on his contract reinforces the idea that Castle has secured his position as part of his future plans. Along with Vembanjam, 2025 No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, Castle is helping form the foundation the Spurs hope will return them to championship contention for years to come.