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The Spurs have long wanted two PGs on the floor at the same time. We saw that all the way back in 2003 with Parker and Kidd. I think Castle's size was appealing to him not because they wanted to play a 6-7 PG with a 6-9 SG, a 6-11 SF, a 7-foot PF and a 7-3 C, but because they wanted to play a 6-7 PG who could play with a second PG without having to compromise the defense in the way that playing two guards under 6-4 often does.
I don't think the Spurs see Fox and Castle as the entire main PG rotation going forward because simply put it's not enough PG play for their liking. Even not going into whether they SHOULD trust Castle to be the sole PG on the court at times if they're seriously trying to win, we're talking about a team that had no issue playing Paul with Jones or Wesley. It would be weird if the team didn't try to find at least one quality player to add to that depth chart, be it a cheap vet or a mid-draft pick.
A lot of people have been getting upset about the idea of trading Castle. I find that sort of odd given how many also believe the Spurs should be trying to bring in another name. If you think they should slow-play this and see what they have with Fox and Wemby for a full summer and some modest changes to the roster, that's fine. That's basically where I'm at. But if you're talking about adding a third star, cleaving to Steph doesn't make a ton of sense. They would definitely not have the touches to develop Castle as a star, and they may not have the leeway to let Castle figure things out as a role-player. If the team kept him and leveraged the unprotected picks needed to get a star without him, they could be forced into a situation where they can't play him high in the rotation. A guy like Knueppel may just be a better fit. So if folks want to hop back on Markkanen or Booker or Giannis or Sabonis or JJJ, that's where it's at.
The only star who could come in and meaningfully open a window for the Spurs but not either cost Castle or limit Castle's long-term path with the Spurs would be Durant. The Spurs might be able to get Durant with Vassell, Johnson/Barnes and some protected picks/lesser projects. His age would make it to where Castle could take over in a couple of years when KD aged out. I still don't think Steph could start for that team without improved shooting and a commitment to consistently good defense. Let's say Vassell, Johnson, Sochan and some future protected picks get it done.
Then in the draft, go Queen at 8, Richardson at 13/14 and Isaiah Evans at 38. In free agency, through a modest deal at Jake LaRavia and bring back Biyombo and promote one of Ingram/Minix. That leaves 14 roster spots taken as follows:
Fox, Richardson, Wesley
Champagnie, Castle, Branham,
Barnes, _____, Evans
Durant, LaRavia, Ingram
Wembayama, Queen, Biyombo
I'd REALLY want the Spurs to find a vet wing who could fill in that last rotation spot, be it a SF to back up Barnes or a SG to start in place of Champagnie, but there's a dearth of competent wings in the NBA right now. There's no one worth the MLE, even as a trade candidate.
