The San Antonio Spurs have built a promising team as they approach the 2025-26 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA season. At the 2025 NBA Draft, the Spurs acquired two young talents, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, both anticipated to be foundational pieces moving forward. Alongside them, <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/stephon-castle/”>Stephon Castle, expected to be a strong contender for Rookie of the Year, will aim to bring a winning mentality to the team based on his success at UConn. Central to the Spurs’ prospects is their star player, Victor Wembanyama, whose ongoing development remains a crucial focus.

Veteran players such as De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Luke Kornet, and Kelly Olynyk provide experience and stability, complementing the youthful core. Still, it is Wembanyama’s unique skills and potential that set the highest ceiling for the franchise’s future success.

Victor Wembanyama’s Early Promise as a Unique NBA Talent

Describing Victor Wembanyama as a generational prospect is not an exaggeration. Standing 7-foot-3 with a rare combination of guard and center abilities, he stands out as an unprecedented talent in the NBA. During his first two seasons, Wembanyama has already demonstrated game-changing skills by leading the league in blocks for consecutive years and averaging 24.3 points per game as a sophomore.

As he moves into his third NBA season, the arrival of new coaching staff members could be pivotal in helping him unlock even greater levels of performance and consistency, aiming for perennial All-NBA team recognition.

Rashard Lewis Joins Spurs Coaching Staff to Boost Player Development

In a significant offseason move, the Spurs announced that former NBA All-Star Rashard Lewis will join their coaching staff for the 2025-26 campaign as a player development coach. Given the young composition of the roster, Wembanyama stands to gain the most from Lewis’s addition.

During his peak years from 2005 to 2009, Lewis was a two-time All-Star known for his scoring ability, particularly his shooting from beyond the three-point line, averaging just under 20 points per game with the Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic. His career three-point shooting percentage hovered near 40% in that period.

While Wembanyama already shows strong shot creation skills from long range, Lewis’s experience as a frontcourt shooter could sharpen his effectiveness from deep. Wembanyama’s three-point shooting improved towards the end of his sophomore year, and with Lewis’s guidance, he may reach or surpass a 37% success rate, making him more threatening to opposing defenses.

Optimizing Wembanyama’s Off-Ball Role for Greater Impact

The Spurs boast several skilled ball-handlers like Fox, Castle, and Harper, which opens opportunities for Wembanyama to excel in off-ball situations. Rashard Lewis’s career data shows that over 93% of his three-pointers were assisted, highlighting the value of teamwork and shot creation that could translate well to Wembanyama’s game.

Currently, 83% of Wembanyama’s made threes have been assisted, indicating room to capitalize further on high-quality looks generated by his teammates. Emphasizing this off-ball movement and improving shot selection can elevate Wembanyama’s offensive game to new heights, fitting well into San Antonio’s strategic approach under the mentorship of Lewis.

This tailored development could play a vital role in helping Wembanyama become not just a dominant presence defensively but a complete scorer who stretches the floor and commands attention from rival defenses.

Looking Ahead: Impact of Rashard Lewis’s Role on Spurs’ Future

With Rashard Lewis joining the Spurs’ coaching staff, the team signals a strong commitment to maximizing its young talent, especially Victor Wembanyama’s vast potential. Lewis’s experience as a versatile shooter and scorer is expected to accelerate Wembanyama’s growth, particularly in refining his long-range accuracy and off-ball movement.

This development strategy fits within the Spurs’ broader goal of returning to championship contention by blending youth and experience effectively. As Wembanyama enters his third season with increased guidance and support, the 2025-26 season could mark a turning point, positioning him as one of the league’s dominant All-NBA stars for years to come.