The San Antonio Spurs selected Stephon Castle with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft out of UConn, and the 6-foot-6 guard is setting career-high marks in his sophomore season.
However, Castle is reportedly drawing interest from teams around the league, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst indicated Wednesday while on The Ryen Russillo Show.
Since San Antonio has extra draft capital and expiring contracts, the team seems poised to make a big move.
“The Spurs and the Pistons are two teams that are faced with that sort of same situation,” Windhorst said. “They both have extra draft capital. They both have expiring contracts, [and] they both have, you know, young pieces other people want.
“Like, it’s going to be some temptation. And I’m not saying the Spurs will resist, but I would be stunned if they gave Stephon Castle away for almost anything.”
Spurs Reluctant To Trade Stephon Castle
Castle, the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year, is having a breakout year this season, averaging career highs of 18.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 31.2 minutes per game in 16 outings.
Per ESPN Stats & Information, Castle and Victor Wembanyama registered triple-doubles in a Nov. 12 loss to the Golden State Warriors, making the duo the fifth in NBA history — and first for the Spurs — to each record a 20-point triple-double in the same game.
Castle has been consistent dating back to his college days.
“I cannot tell you how much the Spurs loved Stephon Castle when they got him,” Windhorst continued. “Right out of the gate, they were like, ‘Oh my god, do we love this guy,’ you know? They are convinced that he is the perfect guy to have with Victor.
“You know, we have this sort of thing now where whenever we come up against something we think is highly unlikely, we’re like, ‘Well, the Lakers did get Luka, so like on that standard.’ True. I guess if Jokic was available and they said, ‘You can have Jokic, but you got to give us Castle.’ All right.
“… He had 12 assists in that game, and they love everything about his makeup. They love everything about the way he competes, [and] they love everything about how his willingness to improve. They love Stephon Castle.”
Castle missed nine straight games this season from mid-Nov. through early Dec. due to a left hip flexor strain. The 21-year-old sustained the injury during the first half of a Nov. 16 home win over the Sacramento Kings.
San Antonio has gone 3-0 with Castle since his return.
It’s unclear whether the Spurs will make Castle available for a trade ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. If they do, the team likely won’t accept an offer unless it involves a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
