Stephon Castle - 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I think the floor for Castle is a Marcus Smart type of player but I do think his shooting will improve and I do like the Jimmy Butler comp if he can put it all together. Just not sure there is that many other guys who have that type of upside.

The floor being the only guard DPOY since Gary Payton is setting expectations way too high for the poor fella.

[ginobilized]

The draft is always a risk, of course. I like Castle, a LOT.

I feel his dog qualities will propel him past other players year after year. That intangible is what makes a great player. There's enough to work with there between a Marcus Smart floor and a possible Butler/DeRozan ceiling. Just having that doggishness in practices will improve the team. I do wonder if he can handle playing with lower IQ players than he's used to at UCONN. That can make for a tough NBA transition. His NCAA squad was super high IQ and executed to perfection.
His cutting was elite within the UCONN system. If Tre Jones can get 1-2 layups/game off backdoor cuts, Castle can do more with Wemby. I can see him as a Vassell/JC backup to start and he might fight his way into the starting lineup. At the very least, he takes Wesley/Branham minutes and improves the team by being more efficient. He would force the issue on renewing those 2 players, too.

If the Spurs don't take him, I trust that they have a great reason to make that decision. If he's available and Risacher/Sarr are off the board, he's the most likely pick.

[exstatic]

People need to stop talking about teams 5-7 not taking a point guard because those rosters are not static and we don’t know if they’re willing to simply take BPA in a so-called weaker draft. Who’s to say the Pistons won’t have a trade lined up to deal Ivey for a wing and like how Dilly pairs with Cunningham as a playmaking and shooting backcourt? That doesn’t even take into account many teams thinking 8 is the floor for Dillingham and could maneuver ahead of SA to grab him or whatever point guard.

You also don’t know if those 3 teams will be making those 3 picks.

[Mr. Body]

I know this has been posted before, but it's worth putting it here, too.

That possession at :47 is so ing good. I assume he had direction to double at the start, but then how he handles everything else is next level. How he sees the open man instantly, sort of gravitates to him in his measured way, and then totally swallows him up, like double teaming him all by himself. Insta-boner for the coaching staff.

Wemby-Sochan-Castle could be the basis of one of the best defenses in the league. Which is crazy given that defense is nearly banned. Obviously there are struggles on the other end, but you can figure things out as you go. Sochan and Castle are both excellent cutters, and so on. But you have a strong 1-3 defender, a strong 2-4 defender, and WembGod.

[spurraider21]

Serious question for folks that really want Castle, what kind of player do you expect from him?

I want Risacher but because I expect a Nicolas Batum type player. I'm not really expecting an all-star type player. For Castle to be worth the pick, I think he would need to become a borderline all-star player (a Jrue Holiday type) and I just don't see it, tbh.

i think with castle you are hoping for something in between tony allen and andre iguodala, but less springy of an athlete than either

[Knoxxx]

The draft is always a risk, of course. I like Castle, a LOT.

I feel his dog qualities will propel him past other players year after year. That intangible is what makes a great player. There's enough to work with there between a Marcus Smart floor and a possible Butler/DeRozan ceiling. Just having that doggishness in practices will improve the team. I do wonder if he can handle playing with lower IQ players than he's used to at UCONN. That can make for a tough NBA transition. His NCAA squad was super high IQ and executed to perfection.
His cutting was elite within the UCONN system. If Tre Jones can get 1-2 layups/game off backdoor cuts, Castle can do more with Wemby. I can see him as a Vassell/JC backup to start and he might fight his way into the starting lineup. At the very least, he takes Wesley/Branham minutes and improves the team by being more efficient. He would force the issue on renewing those 2 players, too.

If the Spurs don't take him, I trust that they have a great reason to make that decision. If he's available and Risacher/Sarr are off the board, he's the most likely pick.

Castle has that man among boys look about him which is impressive for a college freshman. The knock on having him and Sochan, two nonshooters, is valid but they don't have to be on the floor together a lot at first. Obviously if the two developed a shot and with their defense, that would be amazing. Let's finish that thought by reminding that you choose either a shooter or defender this draft, not both. Unless of course you have two picks. Castle could make a non-defender like Knecht more pallatable at 8, for example.

Now if Castle and Sochan never develop a shot, it is probably FIFO for those of you familiar with accounting terms, there will be roster attrition.

[NASpurs]

What I like about Castle besides his defense is that yeah ok, he barely has any semblance of an outside shot so he drives to the basket a lot but it's not like he doesn't have an inside package. The dude can use his body, floaters, dunk, drop off a pass, you name it, etc. If he had an outside shot, he would be drafted #1.

[KobesAchilles]

We are taking Topic anyways

[Knoxxx]

[Knoxxx]

What I like about Castle besides his defense is that yeah ok, he barely has any semblance of an outside shot so he drives to the basket a lot but it's not like he doesn't have an inside package. The dude can use his body, floaters, dunk, drop off a pass, you name it, etc. If he had an outside shot, he would be drafted #1.

He's high BB IQ and he catches lob dunks and throws them. He can get to the rim, has handles, lots to like.

Mainly what i think about is getting defenders that can harass SGA and Doncic like no other, and he looks great for that too. Castle can guard the 1-3, Sochan the 2-4, Wemby, that's a lot of defense!

[Raven]

It makes no sense to draft a pg at 4

[LeBowen]

Dillingham's shooting is a lot more "translatable" than Castle's defense. There will always be open looks to be had in the NBA. Being able to defend on the NBA as well as you did in college is a bigger challenge than knocking down open shots.

A player of Dillingham's size has to be way more than just a spot up shooter. We need someone to collapse defenses, force them to make difficult decisions and get everyone involved.
You can't have a 160lbs player be just a spot up shooter. My biggest concern with him is if he'll be able to get to penetrate into the paint and finish at the rim.
He's more or less guaranteed to be an awful defender, meaning that if he's not a triple threat on offense from day1, he'll be a net negative.

Castle will surely be a positive defender. We really need those. I honestly wouldn't be opposet do drafting both of them. Their skillset complement each other well and we need a POA defender.

So you have a problem with 27% from NBA 3pt line on bigger volume, but no problem with 26% on wide ass open looks from the college 3pt line?

No, I just have a problem with the fact that Buzelis has the potential to be everything, but he's not guaranteed to be anything. Entirety of his upside is theoretical. He's not guaranteed to be good at anything.

Better than getting the next Blake Wesley, tbh.

Agreed, but still. Castle is a way better prospect than Wesley.

So your idea is to remove those bricklayers, only to draft more bricklayers and remove them somewhere down the line?

Draft bricklayers that can defend and maybe develop a shot.

Right now Wemby is our entire defense.
Jeremy is solid when he doesn't have to chase guards around, Devin is neutral defender when he can be assed, others are trash.
Tre puts maximum effort in every possession, but always gets torched.

Tbh, my biggest concern for next season's rotation is Collins.
If he's still getting 20mpg, we're not going anywhere. He has to go.

[Chinook]

To put things into perspective, Castle is taller than Kawhi Leonard. He doesn't have Leonard's strength or length, but we're talking about a guy who can easily hold his own at SF once he matures. I think people shouldn't worry about his fit with Sochan. It'll either work, or one will be moved. If they're both good players who just can't work with each other, the odd man out will fetch a high trade price. If one develops and the other stagnates, you replace the other with a better shooter and keep it pushing. If both bust, you keep rolling that dice.

The Spurs are not trying to build a winning core this year. They have the time to figure these things out. If Castle is BPA, you pick him and let the chips fall where they may. You do not pass up on him because you're worried about him not working with Sochan or Tre. No one besides Wemby should be considered a lock to be on the roster in two years. If the Spurs were the best defense in the league next season but still a play-in team because their offense was horrible outside of Wemby and Vassell's individual talent, that's still a lot of progress.

[Chinook]

It makes no sense to draft a pg at 4

It makes a ton of sense to draft a guy who can defend Morant, Edwards, Doncic and all of the stars in between. Some team is going to draft Clingan in the top 10 specifically in hopes he can slow Wemby down. Castle stands to be more useful if the correct combination of skill improvements and role definition can occur.

[brrx89]

Castle announcing not working out with teams with a PG is basically publicly begging to be Wembys lob thrower

[Raven]

It makes a ton of sense to draft a guy who can defend Morant, Edwards, Doncic and all of the stars in between. Some team is going to draft Clingan in the top 10 specifically in hopes he can slow Wemby down. Castle stands to be more useful if the correct combination of skill improvements and role definition can occur.

What makes you think he can defend doncic? He doesn't have the necessary wingspan to contest him. And the assumption is that he obviously isn't the bpa at #4, he averaged 11 points and less than 3 assists.. While i love the pick in principle, I don't love it at #4 when nobody needs a point guard and there are at least 3 still available at #8.

[Raven]

Castle announcing not working out with teams with a PG is basically publicly begging to be Wembys lob thrower

people pretend like that's an easy job, but the massive difference in passing between irving and donut, should tell everyone that it is not.

[rjv]

the spurs need better defenders and more length but they also need shooters. this draft does not offer someone who can bring both of these things to the table so the spurs are going to have to make a choice. i, personally, would rather have someone who can defend and is long with the potential to improve his shot than a shooter who is barely 6'2" and not as good a defender. we all know that kawhi was a less than 30% shooter at san diego state.

[brrx89]

people pretend like that's an easy job, but the massive difference in passing between irving and donut, should tell everyone that it is not.

i agree, major red flag that a guy in a flat trash draft like this should be gassing himself up as 1st overall ready to come in and take Trae Youngs job, not dodging compe ion

[AFBlue]

People may consider it a "red flag" that he is so adamant about being considered a PG, but I honestly dig it. Dude has a level of self-confidence and the reported work ethic to help realize what his potential may be.

[LeBowen]

People may consider it a "red flag" that he is so adamant about being considered a PG, but I honestly dig it. Dude has a level of self-confidence and the reported work ethic to help realize what his potential may be.

His camp has to push the point guard narrative since he can't shoot.
Thompson twins were way better prospects and have been really underwhelming just because they don't have a shot, despite doing everything else well.

Risacher is out of reach, other wing prospects aren't that convincing.
I'd be fine with Castle and Dillingham, would give us complementary players with clear roles.

Tre/Dillingham and Jeremy/Castle as players who can't share the floor.
Devin as the best perimeter player can fit in any lineup, then a couple more 3-D guys with Champagnie being the last man in SG-SF-PF rotation.
Or just one more 3-D guy if Keldon isn't traded.

But we must get rid of Collins.

[Knoxxx]

What makes you think he can defend doncic? He doesn't have the necessary wingspan to contest him. And the assumption is that he obviously isn't the bpa at #4, he averaged 11 points and less than 3 assists.. While i love the pick in principle, I don't love it at #4 when nobody needs a point guard and there are at least 3 still available at #8.

He can possibly guard SGA, Doncic, Fox on the Kings, any smaller G up to a SF. Do you know what the 1-3 position is in basketball? Sochan can guard the 2, but that's not his specialty.

As far as your take on alternative PG prospects, way off. All the other PG prospects have their share of warts such as lack of size, defense, shooting, injuries, etc.

If Castle went 3, Sheppard would be fine at 4 though. Then we'd have some nice wing options, leaning to the defensive side, at 8.

[Knoxxx]

People may consider it a "red flag" that he is so adamant about being considered a PG, but I honestly dig it. Dude has a level of self-confidence and the reported work ethic to help realize what his potential may be.

Castle has a 5-star "Alpha" mentality, and young players have trouble maintaining that kind of confidence coming into the NBA.

[Mr. Body]

What makes you think he can defend doncic? He doesn't have the necessary wingspan to contest him. And the assumption is that he obviously isn't the bpa at #4, he averaged 11 points and less than 3 assists.. While i love the pick in principle, I don't love it at #4 when nobody needs a point guard and there are at least 3 still available at #8.

I'm curious about Castle guarding Doncic. To me, Sochan guards Doncic and Irving is guarded by Castle. I think Doncic is too big for Castle, but he does have the snakey ability to keep up with guys with the ball in their hands or stay close on jump shots. Luka's advantage other than supernatural IQ and handles, is his strength. I don't think Castle can do it full time.

[Mr. Body]

This just got me thinking about whether Dallas winning the chip might have teams shifting priorities and strategies. Like, Minny sort of built themselves to beat Denver, are teams going to try to build to counter Dallas? Maybe? But I think the Spurs know what they need and won't alter course. It may be hubristic to say, but if they build right, teams will have to counter them. If they can get a good team around Wembanyama (defense, offense, etc.) they'll be calling the shots.

That said, this might require/include defending Doncic.