Make or BREAK Year for Devin Vassell!?
There has been a lot of trade talk about DSL for I don’t know maybe the last year. For that to stop, he needs to do his part. What is up San Antonio Spurs fans? Welcome to TSR Sports. I hope you’re having a great weekend. I enjoyed my day off yesterday. We’re back today to talk about the one, the only Devin Vel. Spurs fans, can Demisel have a bounceback year and shut his naysayers up? Is this a make or break year? Before I answer that, I think we should talk about a little bit why do Spurs fans want Devin traded. I have a few reasons here and if I miss any, please go, you know, drop him a comment down below why you think what he should be traded. There’s a lot of you that do, but first off, let’s talk about his injury history. If we look at Devin, his last three seasons, he has missed 18 games, 14 and 44. That is a lot of missed time for a young player. So, obviously, his fans were going to have concerns moving forward. Can you stay on the court? If you can’t, you’re not helping the team win games. So, the injury history, I think, is an easy one to put out there first. The second one is last season was a down season. 16.3 points per game. His efficiency dropped to 44. Three-point percentage stayed about the same, 37 and 79. Certainly struggled with defense at times on the court like a lot of the team did. But I think what really stood out last season for us was not just how he had a drop in production, but how inconsistent he was on the court. This is January and February. And if you look at his three-point shooting, it is an absolute roller coaster. It’s literally right to the well, your left, my right. From the top, one of four, one of six, one of seven. Uh, he’s in a slump. Three of nine, five of nine, three of six, three of seven, four of 10, five of six, two of six, three of nine, two of eight, then the wheels fall off. One of 10, one of six, two of eight. And that was kind of Devon’s season all last year. He’d be hot for 8 to 10 games from three, then he’d go cold for 8 to 10 games, then he was hot, then he was cold. He was yes or no. The ball was in, the ball was out. Okay, sorry. Got a little carried away ad living, but it was just frustrating to see how good he could be at times. and you’re like, Devin, you got this, man. I’m you’re on fire. Then a stretch of games where you’re like, I don’t know much more out of this I can watch. So, it was just such a roller coaster season. And maybe the injuries had something to do with that being on the bench to start. I don’t know. But it was just constantly up and down and it was frustrating to watch. And then the last reason I think fans want Demil to be traded is the contract. And where this contract really stings for his fans is with that down production and inconsistent year last season. Seeing him be the at then highest paid spur of all time really made you go Brian right? Were you Brian wrong on this extension 29.3 million for this production? What are you doing? That’s really really got to think a lot of Spurs fans myself included going this is Zack Collins 2.0. Then you look at the next four years and he’s got he’s making some money. 27 27 24 and a half and 27. Now the good news for his fans is the salary cap is going to go up each season. So that percentage of the cap is going to go down each season. So that contract will be much more pountable as time progresses, but it’s not going to be if his production doesn’t match the salary. So I think that’s a big part of it too, that contract. So to sum up, injury history really, you know, from our expectations, a down season last year and then the contract itself. So there’s our three reasons. Let me circle back to the question at the beginning. Can you have a bounceback year? I’m going to say yes, but to do so, couple things need to happen. Need to stay healthy. That’s I think the number one thing with Discel, but also I think more consistent. And what I’d like to see out of Demicell next season is something like this. first off needs to play in 72 games at the minimum. Minimum. Nothing in the 60s. Nothing in the 50s or 40s. Somewhere in the 70s, preferably more than 72, but I’ll take 72 as the floor. 17 points per game. Might be asking for a bit much with Darren Fox now on the team. A healthy Darren Fox. Dylan Harper joining the squad. A probably much improved Stefon Castle in year two. We got Luke Cornet coming in. Kelly Olnick. We don’t know what the rotations are going to be. So 17 might be a stretch. I’ll settle for 15, maybe even 14. If the bottom three numbers are similar to that, that’s that 47 to 39 82 split. Deon has shot 47% from the field in one year of his career and he shot 39% from three in another. I don’t think that’s an unrealistic expectation to have him have 47 39 82, especially with the talent that’s going to be around him next season. I think he should thrive. I think you should get more open shots and that’s what I’d like to see. We need guys out there that can hit the three ball because we have some guys that can’t. So, we need consistent three-point shooting. And if he’s going to start at small forward, which all sides point to him, sorry, you’re out of position. You’re you’re I mean, your wings guard, shooting guard, small forward, tomato tomato, maybe not, but I want to see Devin be more efficient. And I really hope we see the best version of Demoel moving forward because if he is his best version Spurs fans, then that helps us twofold. Either he’s helping us win games, which is the ultimate goal, right? We all want the Spurs to win, be a playoff team, playoffs. Yes. Or it helps his trade value if he was to get traded because the Spurs take this look back and go, you know what? We have the log jam with wings and guards, etc. We don’t see him part of our future plans. His trade value is higher than ever. let’s trade him and then it’s a win-win. I would rather since he’s a former lottery pick him be a spur for life and finds, you know, his important role with the team moving forward. But if he’s not a spur for life, then I hope he at least plays well enough that he can go somewhere and be the second option. Now, the caveat, of course, with all this trade talk, if I’m using that word right, is if he is injured next season and if he is inconsistent again, I could see the Spurs moving on from him. This video could be a total oops video if he’s traded within the next few weeks and you look back on this like yo TSR you were wrong on that. I’m like yep yes I was. Hey whatever. But if he’s if he’s with the team next season I think he will be. All signs point he will be. I know there’s those few trade rumors but I think Kell Deon will be here. How many time I say this all the time. How many times has Kell Johnson been traded in the last couple seasons? Still a spur. Just saying. Wonder if he’s going to be number three next season. I think Deon will be here and I I hope he’s not injured. to hope he’s not consistent. I hope the team obviously there’s a lot of hopeful TSR, but I I want to see the Spurs back in the playoffs and for us to achieve maximum Spurs. He needs to play well and he needs to stay healthy and I think he can, but it all depends on him. I will say this, seeing the videos with him and the team, he seems to be smiling more. That’s a good sign. I don’t know if maybe last year the injuries or the pressure maybe something was getting to him last year. Maybe Coach Pop being gone. Maybe something was going on last year. You could have something his personal life. I don’t know. But he seems just from what I can tell happier this year. And if you’re a better place in life, you’re going to be in a better place professionally. Like when I’m in a good mood, I do better at my job. I’m sure when you’re in a good mood, you do better at your job. And if you’re not feeling so great, well, your job production drops. Sports are the same way. You’re in a good mindset, you’re going to produce on the field or court. If you’re in a bad mindset, the production might not be there. So, I I’m rooting for Deon, and I sincerely hope you guys are all too. I know a lot of you say, “Trade Deon, trade Devon, trade Kell, except trade Jeremy.” I respect your opinion, but I hope all our guys play so freaking well next season that we don’t have to talk any trade rumors throughout the season whatsoever. All we’re talking about is TSR. Man, I can’t believe how good we’re playing. We’re, you know, playing well beyond expectations. Everybody’s doing their part. It’d be nice to have that for the first time ever on this channel because we we haven’t had that. It’s every year there’s this guy’s not I mean there’s going to be guys that are underperforming, but if the team’s playing well enough, we probably won’t notice or maybe not even care. That’s the ultimate goal. Anyway, that’s all I got. Drop a comment down below your thoughts and everything. I went one over. Do you think those are realistic expectations for Devon? And can he meet them? Are you rooting for him? Are you like, “Nope, you’re gone. I want you to be traded.” Whatever it is, I respect your opinion because I know we can all agree on one thing only and that’s Ghost Spurs go. So like, comment, subscribe, and I’m gonna say it again. Go Spurs go. and stay.
Devin Vassell has been on some trade rumors recently. Can he have a bounce back season and quiet the trade rumors?
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42 Comments
For the record, I am rooting for every player in silver and black. Do you think this will be a make-or-break year for Devin? What are your expectations for him next season? Thanks for watching and GO SPURS GO!
Yes. With healthy Wemby and Fox, Castle, Harper, Barnes, even Olynyk, there are a lot more scorers to compete with. We’ll see.
Incorrect. His make or break year was last year
You could say the same for Keldon Johnson too
I hope you spent time yesterday with Mrs TSR please keep her glad
Trade him last year
If he doesn't leave, it will be his last chance because I think the spurs see what we see, he's awful on defense and doesn't fit with Wemby, people have criticized Sochan a lot but at least Sochan has always been solid next to Wemby
Can’t stay healthy, and too overpaid; you can get a decent starting center for that price
I think this will be the make or break season. After Keldon, Devin is the next man on the trade block. We thought these two would be our wings of the future, but just better consistent players arrived and took their spots
I love Devin, but I think he'd excel more in a different system. I want to see him somewhere he can blossom. Unfortunately, I don't think that is with us. I hope he proves me wrong since he seems to have great relationships with everyone on the team, and I love me a good pineapple. Most of all, though, I want to see him somewhere he can find his ceiling, even if that is somewhere else.
my rotations would be: fox, castle, barnes, sochan, wemby.
bench: harper, vassell, kj, olynyk, kornet.
and for double big line ups id switch olynyk with sochan.
i feel like this gives the team a complete line up for both the starters and the bench.
if castles 3 point shot develops and sochan isnt a negative 3 point shooter, i like this line up.
This the year he has to bounce back if not it’s time to move on ✌🏼
I like Devin alot, he'll be a great piece to this years team, I agree he needs to be alittle more consistent shooting but I think he will have a bounce back season GSG
Devin will be fine if they don't force him to play the 3. We have Barnes, Champagne, Johnson, and Bryant. No excuses to make him start at the 3 I don't care how much money he is making, let him come off the bench.
I have a feeling we will see Vassell traded with a first round pick for a role player just to dump the contract. I hope he starts playing better
Hard to judge player stats during tank years, even games played. And the average prime is 27-32. KJ and DV both have good quality/value with their contracts. But everybody's always on the chopping block man.
I hope the Spurs front office comes to their senses and trades him sooner than later. His consistent inconsistencies make his contract feel like highway robbery. If he would just take normal jump shots over fade aways I think he could drastically improve his fg%. But I'm not holding my breath.
Get rid of him because we need Kawhi 2.0 to start. I’ll let you guys guess who I’m talking about
A DREAM SCENARIO for me is a TRADE involving –VASSEL –K.JOHNSON and a DRAFT PICK for a HIGH QUALITY Starter POWER FORWARD (use your imagination for possible DESIRABLE players)……This accomplishes 2 things 1)salary wise you get much better value dumping Vassels & Johnsons big salaries ($46 million combined) and getting a better value deal for ONE really good Power Forward : HIGH QUALITY STARTER…….2) It greatly improves the starting 5 POSITIONAL CHEMISTRY because Vassel with this team, would have to START OUT OF POSITION at SMALL Forward…..Getting a POWER Forward in return relieves that logjam (among the GUARDS & wings) and balances the team POSITIONAL chemistry with the starting 5……Remember that S. CASTLE is preparing himself to be a breakout 2 WAY STAR and can very well start at SMALL FORWARD……and in my opinion even BETTER than Vassel at the 3 spot……..THEN try to pickup a quality 3 POINT SHOOTING ROLE PLAYER (does NOT HAVE TO be a Star STARTER) and then this team becomes much MORE DANGEROUSLY well balanced ……..STARTING 5 : 1)FOX 2)HARPER 3)CASTLE 4) Trade for STAR 2 WAY PLAYER 5)WEMBY (and they STILL have BARNES as a really good 3 POINT SHOOTING Forward – 3 OR 4 position….. and STILL have SOCHAN as an elite DEFENSIVE Forward – 3 OR 4).
Last year for him to prove
Spurs! Have a Deep Lineup Going Into This Season So Devin Vissell He is Tradeble Hate To Say That Now?
vassell is overpaid. OVERPAID!
I still like what Vassel can bring and think he should start.
Vassel is still a very good rotation piece. You need 9 guys that can start to win a chip.
The only problem with him is he's about 10m overpayed which isn't an issue now since spurs are far from the cap. Which was a strategic move by the spurs. Payed him early while the team is far from the cap. Then you can sign him for cheaper when spurs will be needing to pay guys like fox and wemby.
I think it's very rarely only "trade Devin" (or whoever the punching bag is). It's almost always "trade Devin for Some Player I Wish We Had". There's a large number of sports fans, and Spurs fans aren't exempt, that have star players they wished played for their team. Taking Head media personalities do this all the time, in saying things like "trade Devin and Keldon for Giannis, and get the team winning now!!!" Their job is to get engagement with their content, and those What Ifs do well in that regard. Brian Wrights job is different, to keep certain options open long term, so when a very good player becomes available, we can try to get them.
The name of the game for a championship level rotation piece is defend, shoot, attack hard closeouts decent decision making at the rim. That's the pacers and okc formula. You need 7 guys that can do those things plus 2 stars so that's your 9 man rotation.
Vassel is perfectly capable of all those things and can easily be a part of any 9 man championship rotation. Yes he's overpayed RIGHT NOW. Yes, keyword is right now cause it isn't an issue right now cause the spurs need to fillup the cap anyway. And by the time devin is due for an extension is when vic and castle will be getting their 1st big paycheck, so you can easily pay devin less. Think of it as an advance payment.
I agree 72+ games maybe 12-16 ppg tho
if vassell dont play like rip hamilton this season then he might get traded.
Bro is going to have to play like it’s a contract year to win over the spurs fans or he’s gone!
How about a Vassell-Keldon trade for Trey Murphy III?
He's too expensive for 4th/5th option to be inconsistent.
We are building a defensive juggernaut, no room for Evin Vassell. But i'm hoping he proves me wrong.
RIch: Did you post a link where you got that extension info and financials vis-à-vis DV's contract?
Yup its zack 2.0. He needs to go in order for the other guys to develop. Trade him and get Minix and DJG.
It's not personal…it's business. "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt is a great film which touches on trading players.
It’s not just Spurs fans—even the national media at large doesn’t know what to make of Devin Vassell. Or other teams’ GMs or media talking heads. We got to witness this first hand during the Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes. Vassell’s gotten lost in a shuffle, especially with the injuries. He’s a hard read, even for the most attentive , die-hard of Spurs fans.
In addition to all the issues you pointed out there are others like the fact Julian replicates a lot of what Vassell does even down to the three-point percentage, at a bigger size, and a fraction of the price. Because at this point with Fox, Wemby, and Castle, the team doesn’t really need Devon scoring. They really just need a spot up wing guy who plays tenacious defense. Oh wait…
… enter Carter Bryant, who brings this whole new dimension w/legit 3/4 size and I really don’t know if there is a future for Devin Vassell.
Even though he’s a rookie, I can imagine a situation where Carter Bryant spot starts for Vassell at the 3 during one of Vassell’s inevitable injuries & the +/- numbers are just so in favor of Bryant they just keep him there like Memphis did w/Jaylen Well this year.
Unless Vassell really is willing to take that bench role, which I believe Keldon is probably temperamentally more suited for, he’s going to have to thread a really fine needle down the line.
Keldon I’m much less worried about. I can easily see a situation where Keldon’s slightly-overpaid contract comes off the books and he resigns for less at a team discount, say, 14-15 million, cones off the bench happily, grows into that role. That precedent has been set already by a lot of FAs this year, from D-Lo to LaVert, even Finney-Smith flatlined out.
Ive changed my mind recently about Devon. I think he will come back strong this year with less pressure on him.
too injury prone even if he's good
He has this coming season to prove himself hopefully now that he's healthy.
If I were Mitch, I'll pull Vassell aside and tell him, "I'm trying to build a defensive identity here, and Carter Bryant is a heck of a defender. My challenge for you, Devin, is to keep Carter on the bench. Show us that you can be just as much a defensive pest, while a reliable scoring option and sniper at the same time."
Coz otherwise, as Carter finds his corner 3 shot, he'll be eating Devin's minutes for lunch.
My issue with Devin is that if he's shot not going in, he doesn't bring anything else to the table, not really a defensive stopper, assists, rebounds or anything. We need to move on from him, I honestly thought he'd be better. I think the Spurs over coached him to someone he's not.
If the Spurs play well, there will be even more pressure to trade Vassell. If he plays well, the Spurs could trade him for the next star who wants to play in SA and make them a contender.
His contract won’t be a good contract unless he outperforms Castle and Harper until their rookie extension starts.
Look, Wright thought he could lock down his starting SG for a declining price as the salary cap skyrocketed. Smart move even for an underwhelming player. He didn’t know the Spurs would essentially be forced to draft the best guard in the next two drafts. But now is the time to pivot and get rid of Vassell. Harper and Castle are the backcourt of the future.