Stephon Castle - 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

[HankChinaski]

I would happy enough with Castle as one of our picks in the top 10. He has a decent enough floor he would be an improvement on the floor than last year's options of Branham and Wesley.

Really just depends on who is left on the board after top 3 selects.

[Mr. Body]

The comp to Dejounte is interesting, defensively, operating in mid-range, doing multiple things, two-way player. But again I almost gave up on Dejounte always getting stripped in traffic, which is unlikely happening with Castle’s better finishing in traffic. Murray avoids contact, while Castle bullies and punishes smaller defenders and finishes in the rim with contact, Murray acrobatically reverse, etc (sometimes missing) to avoid contact in the rim. Defensively, I think Castle has higher ceiling specially with his massive physicality, Murray I thought gambles for steals (stat padding).

Of course Dejounte was 29th pick vs 4th or 8th pick. But if the comp is DJ, then there you go. I honestly think Castle will be much better though.

I don't think I've seen that channel. I liked that a lot. It's pretty clear I'd take Castle over anyone in this draft. He's perfect out of this draft class. All he really needs to shape up is his shooting. Even as an average shooter his upside is tremendous. We all want shooting out of the box but that's not going to happen.

The DJM comp is interesting. I disagree in certain ways, but see what he means. They play defense in different ways and use the floor differently. I also think Castle's transition into an NBA rotation is going to be pretty fast, while Murray needed to learn a lot of basketball intricacies. Castle doesn't get enough credit for not only fitting seamlessly into a college juggernaut, but arguably being their second most important player. Team was filled with guys who will make money as pro basketball players - Spencer and Newton will play somewhere, Karaban probably - and Castle was nearly as important as Clingan.

I disagree that he doesn't have an elite skill. His elite skill is defense. Who has the skills and understanding of team play that you want. I don't even care that much about his shooting. It'll improve. The only real question I have is what he envisions his future being as a guard away from one statement. I do think he recognizes that he's going to founder playing off-ball getting stuck in the corner. This doesn't mean he needs to be a 30% usage ball-dominant PG. And... I don't think that's what he means. I think he means he has a lot to offer making decisions with the ball. And he's right. The two-man game he had with Clingan was great, and here's Wembanyama.

[LeBowen]

I don't think I've seen that channel. I liked that a lot. It's pretty clear I'd take Castle over anyone in this draft. He's perfect out of this draft class. All he really needs to shape up is his shooting. Even as an average shooter his upside is tremendous. We all want shooting out of the box but that's not going to happen.

I watched all of his videos for the players Spurs could draft and he's somewhat too optimistic. For example he doesn't see Dillingham's or Topic's defense as a major concern.

Team was filled with guys who will make money as pro basketball players - Spencer and Newton will play somewhere, Karaban probably - and Castle was nearly as important as Clingan.

Reminds me of how Booker dropped all the way to 13th just because he was a 6tth man for Kentucky, with 8/12 picks ahead of him being massive busts.

I disagree that he doesn't have an elite skill. His elite skill is defense. Who has the skills and understanding of team play that you want. I don't even care that much about his shooting. It'll improve. The only real question I have is what he envisions his future being as a guard away from one statement. I do think he recognizes that he's going to founder playing off-ball getting stuck in the corner. This doesn't mean he needs to be a 30% usage ball-dominant PG. And... I don't think that's what he means. I think he means he has a lot to offer making decisions with the ball. And he's right. The two-man game he had with Clingan was great, and here's Wembanyama.

Imo, all he needs early on is a reliable pull up from FT line.
We got Wemby, there's going to be plenty of space. Reliable mid-range would go a long way.

[Mr. Body]

I watched all of his videos for the players Spurs could draft and he's somewhat too optimistic. For example he doesn't see Dillingham's or Topic's defense as a major concern.



Reminds me of how Booker dropped all the way to 13th just because he was a 6tth man for Kentucky, with 8/12 picks ahead of him being massive busts.



Imo, all he needs early on is a reliable pull up from FT line.
We got Wemby, there's going to be plenty of space. Reliable mid-range would go a long way.

I think I kind of agree that Dillingham's defensive problems are overblown, as I've also talked about elsewhere. My big questions are whether he can buy in and work hard. His instincts on that side aren't great, but I liked that he wasn't making the dead-ass dumb decisions as the season went on, that he was engaged, and that his quickness makes stuff like screens not much of a concern. It'd be great to have Castle and Dillingham who don't really get screened that well. Now, obviously RD's defense is , but I don't think that's the full story.

I have no real sense of Topic's defense.

Back to Castle... one thing that comes from his terrific understanding of the game and great coaching in Hurley's system is he's a fantastic cutter. He sees when defenses aren't paying attention -- when they're absorbed in what's going on elsewhere -- and that's exactly what's going to happen with Wembanyama.

[LeBowen]

Back to Castle... one thing that comes from his terrific understanding of the game and great coaching in Hurley's system is he's a fantastic cutter. He sees when defenses aren't paying attention -- when they're absorbed in what's going on elsewhere -- and that's exactly what's going to happen with Wembanyama.

To me he seems like what Sochan was supposed to be with that point guard experiment.
And I don't think Pop has given up on that type of primary ballhandler. Especially considering Wemby's rapid self-creation improvement.

I think Castle is almost a guarantee at #4 if Risacher isn't available. Outside chance for Sheppard pick, but he also probably won't be available.

[Mr. Body]

To me he seems like what Sochan was supposed to be with that point guard experiment.
And I don't think Pop has given up on that type of primary ballhandler. Especially considering Wemby's rapid self-creation improvement.

I think Castle is almost a guarantee at #4 if Risacher isn't available. Outside chance for Sheppard pick, but he also probably won't be available.

IMO Sochan just doesn't have those top guard skills. Nothing against him, but it was frustrating to me. I feel like the coaches wanted to try to 1) get Keldon into the starting lineup, so moving Sochan to the 1 sort of let this happen. We forget how this was a contentious issue going into the season. And 2) go big. Sochan-Vassell-Johnson-Wembanyama-Collins was very intriguing on paper. Just wish they didn't stick with it for so long.

IMO Sochan's big advantage is that he's much faster than most players his size. He can blow by them. The advantage he has over guards is he can post them up, which... he's not great in the post (he's okay) and you don't want those shots anyway. Then there's defense, where I don't want him defending guards all the time. I'd rather have him creating havoc close to the basket.

Castle in my mind is 100% a lead guard type or combo guard type. He's not a wing. Defensively things will be great. Wemby as the Cthulhian thing of majestic dread, Sochan and Castle both very solid on their ends. Castle has the on-ball capabilities that Sochan didn't, and they both cut and move pretty well.

[heyheymymy]

Wemby as the Cthulhian thing of majestic dread

poetry

[LeBowen]

IMO Sochan just doesn't have those top guard skills. Nothing against him, but it was frustrating to me. I feel like the coaches wanted to try to 1) get Keldon into the starting lineup, so moving Sochan to the 1 sort of let this happen. We forget how this was a contentious issue going into the season. And 2) go big. Sochan-Vassell-Johnson-Wembanyama-Collins was very intriguing on paper. Just wish they didn't stick with it for so long.

IMO Sochan's big advantage is that he's much faster than most players his size. He can blow by them. The advantage he has over guards is he can post them up, which... he's not great in the post (he's okay) and you don't want those shots anyway. Then there's defense, where I don't want him defending guards all the time. I'd rather have him creating havoc close to the basket.

Obviously. But Pop thought he might develop them. Didn't happen. Might happen some years down the line, who knows.
Castle is a few inches shorter, but the ideal version of what Sochan should've become.
Jeremy was put in an unfair position. When he was starting at point, Collins was also in the lineup.
Less spacing on offense and way worse defensive mobility. Can't expect a forward to chase around elite guards when the rest of the team except Wemby is awful defensively.

I feel like starting the season as a 6th man (assuming Keldon is gone) would be good for him. Less pressure and his current, limited skillset is better suited for playing against bench lineups.

Castle in my mind is 100% a lead guard type or combo guard type. He's not a wing. Defensively things will be great. Wemby as the Cthulhian thing of majestic dread, Sochan and Castle both very solid on their ends. Castle has the on-ball capabilities that Sochan didn't, and they both cut and move pretty well.

He's a lead guard, but I don't see how would a lineup with both of them and their current shooting capabilities work.
Going a bit off-topic here, but if Castle is the pick and Dillingham isn't #8, I'd make Monk a priority in FA.
Castle-Vassell-Monk three man guard rotation looks nice. All of them are interchangeable. Branham takes remaining minutes.
Can't really see Tre and Castle playing together.
Package Tre and Keldon for a wing. Draft another wing with #8. And get another veteran wing for cheap.
Castle-Devin-trade-veteran-Wemby
Monk-Branham-rookie-Jeremy-backup seems like a decent rotation.
Markkanen being that trade target would be ideal.

[ginobilized]

Castle is definitely my choice at 4 and has been for some time.
I see PATFO looking him as what they had hoped Primo might become. Of course, Castle is a much better player than the participle dangler of a few years back.

[John B]

Castle is definitely my choice at 4 and has been for some time.
I see PATFO looking him as what they had hoped Primo might become. Of course, Castle is a much better player than the participle dangler of a few years back.

This. Primo was going to be a bigger defensive PG which is who Castle could be. Already Castle will be the best defensive guard we have, him and Wesley, but with Castle’s physical frame, I’ll give the edge to Castle.

I think Castle at 4th and BPA at 8th, Dilly, Holland, Buzelis, or even a big swing at Salaun. Dilly could be great too either a combo guard or a 6th man. I’d package Tre, Keldon and future FRP’s for Markkanen.

[TD 21]

Sochan C&S 3 34%
Black C&S 3 32%
Castle C&S 3 26%

Did not know it was this bad.

Who cares? He can "short-roll" play make and cut (tertiary skills are always a great reason to select someone at 4, especially when you don't have the personnel to maximize them) and the Spurs will spray magic pixie dust and fix his shot, like they've done with a whole 1-2 players 1-2 decades ago.

He's a lead guard, but I don't see how would a lineup with both of them and their current shooting capabilities work.

Can't really see Tre and Castle playing together.

I brought this up weeks ago when it became apparent he was the target at 4: What I suspect we'll see is a Brogdon trade (Hornets 1st, Graham, Bassey, Wesley?) and a starting five of Sochan, Vassell, Wembanyama, Castle, Brogdon.

Brogdon would be the nominal PG, but really every starter would have some creative responsibilities, with increased switch ability.

Castle is an even worse shooter than Jones, but it's not like anyone guards him anyway, while Brogdon would upgrade Champagnie's shooting.

[LeBowen]

I brought this up weeks ago when it became apparent he was the target at 4: What I suspect we'll see is a Brogdon trade (Hornets 1st, Graham, Bassey, Wesley?) and a starting five of Sochan, Vassell, Wembanyama, Castle, Brogdon.

Brogdon would be the nominal PG, but really every starter would have some creative responsibilities, with increased switch ability.

Castle is an even worse shooter than Jones, but it's not like anyone guards him anyway, while Brogdon would upgrade Champagnie's shooting.

Brogdon seems like a perfect cheap veteran to get, but then you look past his solid stats.
He hasn't been healthy for three years and there were several reports of his teammates not really liking him.

Castle and Sochan wouldn't be able to play together with their current shooting capabilities, no way.

If we get Castle, Markkanen is the ideal forward. Absolute must get priority if he's to be traded. I don't care about the asking price.
Then a few years down the leine, when Castle and Jeremy develop their shots, something like Castle-Devin-Jeremy-Markkanen-Wemby looks scary.

Insert another wing if Jeremy doesn't develop. Maybe even our #8 pick or '25 pick, you get the point.

[rascal]

Brogdon seems like a perfect cheap veteran to get, but then you look past his solid stats.
He hasn't been healthy for three years and there were several reports of his teammates not really liking him.

Castle and Sochan wouldn't be able to play together with their current shooting capabilities, no way.

If we get Castle, Markkanen is the ideal forward. Absolute must get priority if he's to be traded. I don't care about the asking price.
Then a few years down the leine, when Castle and Jeremy develop their shots, something like Castle-Devin-Jeremy-Markkanen-Wemby looks scary.

Insert another wing if Jeremy doesn't develop. Maybe even our #8 pick or '25 pick, you get the point.

So no draft picks in 2025 that will work out?

After next year's draft Castle- Devin- 25 draft pick-25 draft pick- Wemby
Hoping to get two starters out of next year's draft and move Sochan to the bench.

[SpursBills]

Castle is a way bigger gamble than most people would like to admit. I think he's a gamble worth taking, but based on historical comps, he's got a less than 1 in 5 chance of developing into a "good" shooter, and a 1 in 3 chance of being a "league average" shooter. If you're taking him at 4, it's probably unnecessarily risky to try and take raw questionable shooting at 8 like Holland, Buzelis, Salaun, Cody Williams, basically all the raw wings in this draft that I'm personally very low on. I'd try and turn #8 and #35 into McCain and Tyler Smith with a little bit of maneuvering, trading up, trading down, and packaging with second rounders.

McCain at worst is probably a bench shooter but could develop into way more than that. Play him with Castle initially to provide him with the spacing that he needs to develop his lead guard skills. He's basically diet Reed Sheppard but stronger, less good, and with less on-ball potential. His creation is probably masked currently but he can help playmake a little bit, optimistically he turns into CJ McCollum and provides off the dribble spacing and offensive output for a defensive team, and at worst in a few years once the team gets more talent he turns into a valuable bench shooter like Patty Mills, except he's a 200+ lb strong guard who can also rebound and get to the rim so he's inherently way more valuable.

Tyler Smith is a swing, but you try and get him in the late first hoping he turns into diet-Markannen or maybe middle-class Naz Reid, as he's big, can shoot, was the best player for Ignite, and despite his horrible looking tape has the best defensive metrics among all the Ignite prospects. He's also an underrated rebounder and he's young and reasonably athletic, so he's not just some Matt Bonner-type. This way even though Castle's a huge risk, at least you can mitigate some of his worst deficiencies in the high likelihood that he never develops into more than a league-average shooter.

[LeBowen]

So no draft picks in 2025 that will work out?

After next year's draft Castle- Devin- 25 draft pick-25 draft pick- Wemby
Hoping to get two starters out of next year's draft and move Sochan to the bench.

Should I have written it differently?
I was trying to say that maybe we'll get a forward we need in this or the next draft.

But I don't think that fully relying on the draft is a good idea. We need to get a proven all-star that fits next to Wemby with some of those picks.

[TD 21]

Brogdon seems like a perfect cheap veteran to get, but then you look past his solid stats.
He hasn't been healthy for three years and there were several reports of his teammates not really liking him.

Castle and Sochan wouldn't be able to play together with their current shooting capabilities, no way.

If we get Castle, Markkanen is the ideal forward. Absolute must get priority if he's to be traded. I don't care about the asking price.
Then a few years down the leine, when Castle and Jeremy develop their shots, something like Castle-Devin-Jeremy-Markkanen-Wemby looks scary.

Insert another wing if Jeremy doesn't develop. Maybe even our #8 pick or '25 pick, you get the point.

I don't think they'll really care that he's likely only good for 50ish games (it is a contract year though) because they'll probably want to give the impression that they're trying to be pseudo compe ive more so than legitimately trying to . . . otherwise they'd aim higher to begin with.

I haven't heard anything that would be an obvious red flag by their rigid standards and he looks/sounds the part of a Spurs stereotype, which will probably be enough for them (the same way it was Samanic despite the red flags).

Again, spacing wise what's the difference between Jones and Castle? And why would playing those two together off the bench be any better (we both know Sochan isn't moving to the bench)? At that point, Castle would really have to play off ball.

I doubt Markkanen becomes available and if he does, I doubt even more that they'd blow their load on a non ball handler/play maker.

[LeBowen]

Again, spacing wise what's the difference between Jones and Castle?

Tre isn't good enough of a shooter for point guard position, but at least he developed a somewhat reliable corner three as the season went on.
While he's a great guy, I'm not that high on him and I don't think he should be in long-term plans.
Obviously, who am I to say what should happen, it's just my preference.
My preference would also be having a three-level scoring 6th man to change it up a bit from the starting lineup. That's why I mentioned Monk. And I'd be happy with Dillingham at #8. Would give us more options.

we both know Sochan isn't moving to the bench

Do we? Noone should be above the bench if they're not good enough or aren't a good enough of a fit next to Wemby.
Which Jeremy isn't as of now.

I doubt Markkanen becomes available and if he does, I doubt even more that they'd blow their load on a non ball handler/play maker.

He'll definitely be available if Jazz decides to tank. He voiced his discontent with being shut down for the second season in a row and said he won't accept it again.
He won't sign that extension if they don't make some moves to actually compete.

He's a perfect offensive weapon next to Wemby. 40% from deep at 8 attempts, easily punishes mismatches in mid-post and is a solid enough of a defender/rebounder.
Him and Wemby together would be a cheat code.

Castle would be an ideal point guard for Wemby if he can develop his scoring to DJ's level while being an elite POA defender.
I'm going into whataboutism again, but it all seems so right to me.
Castle as DJ 2.0.
Devin as a bit shorter, but a bit more athletic Middleton.
All-round wing that can also shoot. Let's say if Cody Williams becomes a taller version of his brother.
Markkanen
Wemby

That's an ideal team to build around Wemby, imo.

[TD 21]

Tre isn't good enough of a shooter for point guard position, but at least he developed a somewhat reliable corner three as the season went on.

Do we? Noone should be above the bench if they're not good enough or aren't a good enough of a fit next to Wemby.
Which Jeremy isn't as of now.



He'll definitely be available if Jazz decides to tank. He voiced his discontent with being shut down for the second season in a row and said he won't accept it again.
He won't sign that extension if they don't make some moves to actually compete.

He's a perfect offensive weapon next to Wemby. 40% from deep at 8 attempts, easily punishes mismatches in mid-post and is a solid enough of a defender/rebounder.
Him and Wemby together would be a cheat code.

Castle would be an ideal point guard for Wemby if he can develop his scoring to DJ's level while being an elite POA defender.
All-round wing that can also shoot. Let's say if Cody Williams becomes a taller version of his brother.
Wemby

That's an ideal team to build around Wemby, imo.

Maybe (he'll have to prove it next season, on increased volume), but no one guards him all the same so spacing wise nothing will change from him to Castle.

We do. I agree, I'm just saying they clearly think Sochan has starter upside and have bigger fish to fry in terms of making sure Jones and Champagnie aren't starters next season.

Ainge surprisingly declared them looking to compete though.

I'm not debating Markkanen's fit, just saying he'll cost a lot and if they're going to expend that, I have a hard time believing it'll be for a minus defending, non ball handler/play maker.

Even making a quantum leap of faith with Castle and Williams, that lineup still doesn't have enough ball handling/play making.

[Mr. Body]

This is why you also get Dillingham, the best advantage creator in the draft, who is at worse the second best shooter, the third best playmaker, and best ball-handler by a wide margin.

[AFBlue]

I prefer Sheppard for the shooting advantage, but I wouldn't be mad with Castle at 4 because of his positional versatility and floor as a defender. Seems like he has a legit shot to realize his offensive potential as well.

[PhantomDashCam]

Castle is a way bigger gamble than most people would like to admit. I think he's a gamble worth taking, but based on historical comps, he's got a less than 1 in 5 chance of developing into a "good" shooter, and a 1 in 3 chance of being a "league average" shooter. If you're taking him at 4, it's probably unnecessarily risky to try and take raw questionable shooting at 8 like Holland, Buzelis, Salaun, Cody Williams, basically all the raw wings in this draft that I'm personally very low on. I'd try and turn #8 and #35 into McCain and Tyler Smith with a little bit of maneuvering, trading up, trading down, and packaging with second rounders.

McCain at worst is probably a bench shooter but could develop into way more than that. Play him with Castle initially to provide him with the spacing that he needs to develop his lead guard skills. He's basically diet Reed Sheppard but stronger, less good, and with less on-ball potential. His creation is probably masked currently but he can help playmake a little bit, optimistically he turns into CJ McCollum and provides off the dribble spacing and offensive output for a defensive team, and at worst in a few years once the team gets more talent he turns into a valuable bench shooter like Patty Mills, except he's a 200+ lb strong guard who can also rebound and get to the rim so he's inherently way more valuable.

Tyler Smith is a swing, but you try and get him in the late first hoping he turns into diet-Markannen or maybe middle-class Naz Reid, as he's big, can shoot, was the best player for Ignite, and despite his horrible looking tape has the best defensive metrics among all the Ignite prospects. He's also an underrated rebounder and he's young and reasonably athletic, so he's not just some Matt Bonner-type. This way even though Castle's a huge risk, at least you can mitigate some of his worst deficiencies in the high likelihood that he never develops into more than a league-average shooter.

I don't think the Spurs will have any interest in McCain honestly due to his social media presence. He is apparently a tik-tok machine.
It supposedly has not not influenced his play one iota, but I'd be dubious about this in the pros.

Smith is an interesting prospect but I'm not sure of his position at the next level.

[Ariel]

Castle is a way bigger gamble than most people would like to admit. I think he's a gamble worth taking, but based on historical comps, he's got a less than 1 in 5 chance of developing into a "good" shooter, and a 1 in 3 chance of being a "league average" shooter. If you're taking him at 4, it's probably unnecessarily risky to try and take raw questionable shooting at 8 like Holland, Buzelis, Salaun, Cody Williams, basically all the raw wings in this draft that I'm personally very low on. I'd try and turn #8 and #35 into McCain and Tyler Smith with a little bit of maneuvering, trading up, trading down, and packaging with second rounders.

McCain at worst is probably a bench shooter but could develop into way more than that. Play him with Castle initially to provide him with the spacing that he needs to develop his lead guard skills. He's basically diet Reed Sheppard but stronger, less good, and with less on-ball potential. His creation is probably masked currently but he can help playmake a little bit, optimistically he turns into CJ McCollum and provides off the dribble spacing and offensive output for a defensive team, and at worst in a few years once the team gets more talent he turns into a valuable bench shooter like Patty Mills, except he's a 200+ lb strong guard who can also rebound and get to the rim so he's inherently way more valuable.

Tyler Smith is a swing, but you try and get him in the late first hoping he turns into diet-Markannen or maybe middle-class Naz Reid, as he's big, can shoot, was the best player for Ignite, and despite his horrible looking tape has the best defensive metrics among all the Ignite prospects. He's also an underrated rebounder and he's young and reasonably athletic, so he's not just some Matt Bonner-type. This way even though Castle's a huge risk, at least you can mitigate some of his worst deficiencies in the high likelihood that he never develops into more than a league-average shooter.

Fair post. I trust Castle's shooting upside a bit more espacially because he's a good FT shooter and he's got touch, but it's true he's unlikely to ever become more than a league average shooter, if that. However, if he does, he's got everything else already in place, so you found yourself a core piece for a contending team. And yes, I agree that if you take him, you can't take more non shooting risks with the other pick.
As for McCain and Tyler Smith, they're very sensible trade back options, they have their own fair share of question marks but shooting isn't one of them, and that's already a step in the right direction. Personally I like Tyler Smith better than Salaun as a swing for a stretch 4. Other swings I'd consider in the late first round are Pacome Dadiet and Cam Christie, both young and talented with shooting potential. All things considered, these guys all have probably a more favorable risk/reward ratio than the ones at the top.

[Mr. Body]

I don't think the Spurs will have any interest in McCain honestly due to his social media presence. He is apparently a tik-tok machine.
It supposedly has not not influenced his play one iota, but I'd be dubious about this in the pros.

Smith is an interesting prospect but I'm not sure of his position at the next level.

Dillingham has a large internet presence, as does Sochan. I don't think it matters to the team as much so long as they're on the wholesome side rather than Dejounte throwing money at strippers. McCain is known to be very personable.

[Ariel]

I don't think the Spurs will have any interest in McCain honestly due to his social media presence. He is apparently a tik-tok machine.
It supposedly has not not influenced his play one iota, but I'd be dubious about this in the pros.

Smith is an interesting prospect but I'm not sure of his position at the next level.

It would take some nerve to argue against drafting some teenager because he's got an active TikTok account, after raving about a "high character" prospect who ended up a serial sexual offender.

[rankingtear]

I guess a lot of you guys are optimistic about his shot because he can do unrelated things. I am just looking at C&S numbers and there is just a huge gap between him and other bad shooters in recent drafts.