Award buzz only grows louder for Stephon Castle after shocking turn of events
As the common season winds down, a number of San Antonio Spurs gamers are up for some main honors. Victor Wembanyama is seemingly a lock for Defensive Player of the Year, and Keldon Johnson is a powerful candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
However, they is probably not alone. Stephon Castle quietly has a powerful case for a serious NBA honor.
With season-ending accidents to Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards lacking the 65-game minimal, Castle’s All-NBA odds are quickly bettering.
Castle has arguably been the second-best participant on the second-best workforce within the NBA this season. He may not be an award voter’s first, second, and even third election, however he’s more and more trying like a powerful candidate within the absence of different stars.
Stephon Castle may make all-NBA for the Spurs this season
Castle’s potential to earn All-NBA honors in his second season might be a double-edged sword for the Silver and Black. It’s nice within the sense that he’d be gaining recognition for his nice season.
On the opposite hand, it could lead to him qualifying for a rookie max contract that would pay him nicely over $200 million. He might in the end be price it, particularly if his latest sizzling capturing is sustainable.
Even so, it could make the likelihood of maintaining the core of Wembanyama, Castle, and Dylan Harper collectively that a lot more durable. It’s uncommon for a participant to make All-NBA with out making the All-Star workforce. Still, the NBA’s misguided 65-game minimal is making that extra of a chance.
Stephon Castle making All-NBA could also be a double-edged sword
To Castle’s credit score, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons lately made a case for him to make All-NBA even earlier than accidents to Cunningham, Doncic, and Anthony Edwards.
His all-around play has been instrumental in San Antonio’s success. That might not make him one of the 15 finest gamers within the NBA, however it’s exhausting to disclaim he has been one of essentially the most impactful this season.
It could be nice for him to make All-NBA. However, maybe as soon as he makes an even bigger leap and proves that he’s a top-15 participant or not less than an All-Star.
Otherwise, the Spurs could also be pressured to offer him an enormous extension that would jeopardize their means to construct a sustained contest round Wembanyama.
Then once more, if Castle turns into a legit All-NBA participant and Wembanyama emerges as the very best participant within the NBA, San Antonio will surely discover a option to make all of it work.
