Former NBA Champion Claims Devin Vassell Will Be The 'X-Factor' For The Spurs If Healthy

Former San Antonio Spurs forward and two-time NBA champion Matt Bonner showed a lot of confidence in Devin Vassell recently. While speaking about the guard on "SiriusXM NBA Radio", Bonner claimed that Vassell could be a key difference-maker for the team next season, provided he stayed healthy. 

"One of my keys to the Spurs' success is Devin Vassell," said Bonner. "I think he's underrated. He's sneaky and super athletic on both ends of the floor. He's just got to stay healthy, stay on the floor." 

"When people look at their roster, they forget about him. He's like a really good player. So I think he gives them like a really good third scoring option that can go off and be that X-factor when they need it."

Bonner provided a concise yet comprehensive analysis of Vassell's skill set and potential. At only 25 years old, Vassell has developed into an immensely competent guard in the league. Having grown in stature with the Spurs, the guard has displayed sustained improvement when given the opportunity.

Vassell's production dipped last season, primarily due to a reduced role with fewer minutes in the starting lineup. Regardless, the guard remained a key contributor.

In 64 appearances last season, featuring 53 starts, Vassell posted an average of 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 31.0 minutes played. When considering his ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor, the 25-year-old will certainly be an extremely valuable piece for the team in the upcoming season.

Much of Vassell's potential lies in his versatility and consistency. Although he is a capable off-ball player and spot-up shooter, he is also reliable enough to create scoring opportunities for himself. He demonstrated this last season with shooting splits of 44.3% from the field, 36.8% from three-point range, and 79.2% from the charity stripe.

Bonner emphasized that injuries remain a primary concern for Vassell's growth and role with the team. The guard missed time early in the 2024-25 season due to a foot injury, which was only followed by sporadic injuries in March and April this year. 

While 64 appearances are solid in the context of player availability in today's game, it is evident that the two-time champion has greater expectations from the young guard.

The outlook for San Antonio in the upcoming season is truly promising. With one of the most gifted young cores in the league, the Spurs could be poised to make some noise in the Western Conference. 

However, Vassell's future with the team appears to be a bit of a question mark. With trade rumors involving the guard looming this offseason, the 25-year-old could be perceived as a valuable asset by other teams, presenting the possibility of a trade.