San Antonio Spurs are completely ignoring the ‘recipe for winning’ in the NBA, Brian Windhorst shares concerns

Brian Windhorst questions fit with Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox

The Spurs lucked out when they drafted Dylan Harper after getting the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Harper is joining a crowded backcourt now with Stephon Castle, who won the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year, and All-Star De’Aaron Fox, who the Spurs traded for at the trade deadline.

Having a lot of talent is a good problem to have, but ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst isn’t immediately sold on the Spurs’ three guard strategy working. He spoke about his concern on NBA Today.

“They need experience [playing together] because they’ve kind of got two different teams.

“They’ve got some veterans on their roster, but with Dylan Harper, who is their top number two overall pick, he’s already got a wrist injury. Unfortunately, he’s going to miss some time. Maybe almost all the preseason.”

He continued, “With him and Stephon Castle, you’re looking at committing to playing two very young guards. And if you’re talking about the recipe for winning in the NBA, it’s not playing young guards.

“De’Aaron Fox, obviously, they have committed to hugely. They do have other veterans on their roster, like Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes, etc.

“But to me, they’re going to maybe have to walk the line a little bit between developing their young guys who they’ve drafted to put next to Victor and whether they want to actually win in a very highly competitive Western Conference,” Windhorst said.

“So, the big thing with the Spurs is they’ve got three guards with Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox, and they’re going to want to play all three. They value those three guys.”

This opens a key point for Windhorst. “So, the question to me is, how do they play those guards? Because I think they owe it to themselves to play those young guys, but obviously, they gave De’Aaron Fox a max contract because they see him as the running mate to Victor going forward.

“So, look, I am a big believer in the Spurs’ future. I’m not sure I’m sold that this is the year they leap into the top six.”

Dylan Harper will likely come off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs

There have been questions about how the Spurs’ lineup will look this season and how they will integrate their three guards together.

It appears rookie Harper will begin his career from off the bench, learning under starting point guard Fox.

Meanwhile, Castle will likely remain in the starting lineup for the Spurs as he can play at the guard and forward position.

On paper, the Spurs have a promising young team, but now it’s about putting the pieces together.