3 Spurs players ready to step up in Victor Wembanyama’s absence

It is expected to be with Victor Vembanim sidelined for most of the next monthit will be much more difficult if San Antonio Spurs will remain near the top of the NBA Western Conference standings.

After several key additions in the off-season and buoyed by a good start that has already had its share of injuries, several members The Silver and Black boasted a deep roster.

Considering that Stephon Castle has missed back-to-back games with the hip issue and Dylan Harper returns from, as Wemby, calf strainSpurs’ talented young core has become more of a necessity than a luxury.

Here are three Spurs positioned to make their mark in the absence of their generational talent.

Considered an integral part of the Spurs’ core during his first three seasons in the NBA, Jeremy Sochan has averaged less than 16 minutes per game since a sprained ankle from a calf strain sidelined him for the team’s first six contests. In limited time, Socan has averaged 6.6 walks and 2.7 rebounds per outing. And while mass stats have never been his strong suit, his influence has waned.

To give a sense of how capable the Spurs think Socan is, they started Vembanyama’s career with the 6-foot-8 natural forward at point guard. While the “experiment,” as former coach Gregg Popovich described it, didn’t pan out, that kind of versatility could allow Socan to excel without his 7-foot-5 center.

The ninth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Socan previously played five spots. That’s not necessary with the summer additions of Luke Cornetta and Kelly Olynyk. What could prove essential is for Socan to return to his career average of 11 points and six rebounds.

Carter Bryant

The Spurs’ No. 2 first-round pick in 2025 impressed with his knack for tough defense and athleticism during Summer League. Plus, Carter Bryant has since been able to hang with the big club to start the season.

For years, the Spurs’ first-round picks, even the vaunted ones, spent most of their rookie years with the organization’s G League club in Austin. Lately, most of their sophomores have too. Bryant has so far avoided the state capital and figures to do so for some time, given the string of injuries in San Antonio.

The former Arizona standout saw action in eight of the Silver and Black’s first 13 games, averaging seven minutes per contest. Combine his defensive efforts with a point-per-game offensive game, and the rise of the talented Bryant could add to the underdog Spurs.

Devin Vassell

Spurs’ second top scorer for most of the previous three seasons, Vassell is used to playing a big role in the attack. He averaged 19.5 points per game in Wembey’s rookie year, 18.5 the season before.

The sixth-year Spur is averaging 13.6 points per game behind Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Castle and Harper. If San Antonio continues to play with the best in the West over the next month, a return to the production put forth by the 2020 No. 11 overall pick will almost certainly prove key.