Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are off to a solid start this season, sitting at 7-8 and fresh off a gritty win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. The win is impressive, especially considering the team was without two of its key players—rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and sharpshooter Devin Vassell. Despite these absences, the Spurs showed resilience, proving that their rebuild may be closer to completion than many initially thought.
After two straight seasons of just 22 wins, San Antonio’s 2024-2025 campaign has already shown signs of promise. The young talent is maturing, and the veterans have brought an added level of stability to a squad that was once in complete flux. The performance of players like Wembanyama, Vassell, and even the seasoned additions of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, has given the fanbase hope that the Spurs could be back in playoff contention sooner than expected.
Injury Woes, But Hope on the Horizon
While the Spurs have shown flashes of brilliance, the team is still navigating some injury setbacks. Wembanyama, who was beginning to heat up after a slow start to the season, has missed the last two games due to a knee injury. Similarly, Vassell has also been sidelined as he continues to recover from a foot injury. These injuries have forced the Spurs to lean heavily on their role players and veterans.
But despite the absences, the Spurs have managed to hold their own. The contributions from Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes, and rookie Stephon Castle have been crucial, and the depth in the roster is becoming more evident. However, if San Antonio is serious about making a leap this season, they need to address a glaring issue—scoring.
Scoring Issues Still Loom for San Antonio
The Spurs are only averaging 109.6 points per game, which ranks them in the bottom 10 of the NBA. While their defense has been a bright spot, particularly with Wembanyama anchoring the paint, they still lack firepower, especially from their bench. This scoring void has led to moments of instability, with the Spurs losing some leads late in games—something that could haunt them as the season progresses.
A Potential Trade for Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson
One solution that could dramatically change the offensive trajectory of the Spurs involves a trade with the Miami Heat for two of the NBA’s premier sharpshooters—Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson.
Miami’s decision to shake up their roster could benefit both teams. The Spurs could send Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, Malaki Branham, and future draft picks to the Heat in exchange for Herro and Robinson. The trade would be mutually beneficial. For the Heat, they would acquire young talent that could fit into their long-term plans—especially if they choose to rebuild around Jimmy Butler’s future uncertain status. The trade would also free up more than $9 million in cap space for Miami, allowing them to explore other options or retool their roster in different ways.
Why the Spurs Need Herro and Robinson
For the Spurs, adding Herro and Robinson would immediately address their scoring issues.
Herro is off to a scorching start this season, averaging 24.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting a blistering 48.6% from the field and 45.2% from beyond the arc. His offensive production would be a perfect fit in San Antonio’s starting lineup, likely shifting Vassell to the small forward position to complement Herro and Wembanyama in a dynamic trio. Herro’s ability to score from anywhere on the floor—whether it’s attacking the rim or hitting from three—would give the Spurs the kind of offensive versatility they need to take the next step.
Meanwhile, Robinson would be an ideal addition to the second unit. The Spurs’ bench has been a weak point this season, particularly in terms of scoring. Robinson, who’s averaging 10.2 points per game and shooting 38.4% from the field and 36.6% from three, would provide the bench scoring punch the Spurs are currently lacking. His perimeter shooting would stretch defenses and open up the floor for the Spurs’ young players, particularly Wembanyama, to operate more efficiently.
Not a Contender Yet, But a Step Closer
While adding Herro and Robinson wouldn’t immediately turn the Spurs into an NBA Finals contender, it would certainly improve their offensive output and help them continue to grow as a team. With a defense anchored by the presence of Wembanyama and a potentially much-improved offense, the Spurs could be poised for a playoff push as soon as this season. Their young stars, bolstered by these veteran shooters, would provide the perfect mix of development and immediate impact.
As the Spurs’ rebuild continues, the addition of more scoring options could be just what the doctor ordered. If they pull off this trade, San Antonio could become a much more dangerous team in the second half of the season—and a team that’s closer to competing for playoff spots than anyone imagined. With the right moves, this could be the season the Spurs turn the corner on their rebuild.
