As the regular season winds down, several San Antonio Spurs players are up for some major honors. Victor Wembanyama is seemingly a lock for Defensive Player of the Year, and Keldon Johnson is a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
However, they may not be alone. Stephon Castle quietly has a strong case for a major NBA honor.
With season-ending injuries to Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards missing the 65-game minimum, Castle’s All-NBA odds are rapidly improving.
Castle has arguably been the second-best player on the second-best team in the NBA this season. He might not be an award voter’s first, second, or even third choice, but he is increasingly looking like a strong candidate in the absence of other stars.
Stephon Castle could make all-NBA for the Spurs this season
Castle’s potential to earn All-NBA honors in his second season could be a double-edged sword for the Silver and Black. It’s great in the sense that he’d be gaining recognition for his great season.
On the other hand, it would result in him qualifying for a rookie max contract that could pay him well over $200 million. He may ultimately be worth it, especially if his recent hot shooting is sustainable.
Even so, it would make the possibility of keeping the core of Wembanyama, Castle, and Dylan Harper together that much harder. It’s rare for a player to make All-NBA without making the All-Star team. Still, the NBA’s misguided 65-game minimum is making that more of a possibility.
Stephon Castle making All-NBA may be a double-edged sword
To Castle’s credit, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons recently made a case for him to make All-NBA even before injuries to Cunningham, Doncic, and Anthony Edwards.
His all-around play has been instrumental in San Antonio’s success. That may not make him one of the 15 best players in the NBA, but it’s hard to deny he has been one of the most impactful this season.
It would be great for him to make All-NBA. However, perhaps once he makes a bigger leap and proves that he is a top-15 player or at least an All-Star.
Otherwise, the Spurs may be forced to give him a massive extension that could jeopardize their ability to build a sustained contender around Wembanyama.
Then again, if Castle becomes a legit All-NBA player and Wembanyama emerges as the best player in the NBA, San Antonio would certainly find a way to make it all work.
