Devin

Vassell

Vassell’s fantasy value has slipped recently due primarily to his shooting accuracy. Over the past two weeks, he has shot 39.1% from the field. A 12th-round player in 9-cat formats during this period, Vassell has been two rounds better for managers punting field goal percentage. However, he did come up with the steal that sealed Friday’s win, and Vassell was also responsible for six rebounds and six assists. Given his overall skill set, it shouldn’t take too much effort to turn things around.

Vassell’s production has decreased recently, with the Spurs wing ranked well outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. His season-long value hasn’t been where fantasy managers expected it to be, with Vassell being a 10th-round player, but the availability hasn’t helped. If he can stay healthy and put together an extended run of solid production, Vassell will be fine concerning fantasy value.

For the first time this season, Vassell was part of the starting unit. He played a season-high 38 minutes, and his 33 minutes in regulation would have still been a season-high. Vassell is a beast in fantasy basketball, but he hasn’t played a large enough role this season to make the impact that he’s capable of making. As long as he remains in the starting lineup, Vassell will be a borderline top-50 option in 9-cat leagues. Julian Champagnie was still able to log 26 minutes despite the move to the bench and finished with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two 3-pointers.

Vassell will be part of the starting lineup for the first time this season. The lineup change boosts his fantasy value, much to the delight of those who have him rostered. Vassell’s promotion means Julian Champagnie, who has been a fixture in the starting five, heads to the bench. Those who have Champagnie should hold onto him for the time being because he can still have value playing 22-26 minutes off the bench.

While Vassell produced another solid stat line on Friday, the foul line has been an issue. He was 1-of-4 on Friday and has made just 58.3% of his attempts over the past two weeks. During this period, Vassell is ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats but is a top-75 player in FT%-punt builds. The good news for fantasy managers is that he’s an 80% shooter for the season, so there isn’t too much to be concerned with long-term.

With Stephon Castle (shoulder) sidelined for this game, Sochan will make his return to the starting unit. Devin Vassell will still play a large role off the bench, but Sochan should be able to play 30+ minutes in this game.

This will be the first absence of Castle’ career, and he has been a consistent part of the starting unit over the past month. Devin Vassell or Jeremy Sochan will likely move back into the starting unit with Castle out.

Vassell is set to return to action after sitting out Friday’s loss to the Kings, San Antonio’s second game in as many nights. Even though he’s likely to remain in a reserve role, Vassell will figure prominently in the Spurs’ rotation.

Wemby will sit out a second straight game after missing the first leg of San Antonio’s back-to-back on Thursday. Jeremy Sochan started in his place in that one, and he might get the nod again if the Spurs decide to play small ball against the Kings. Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson are in line for additional minutes with Wemby and Vassell out of action.

Vassell continues to come off the bench for the Spurs, but that hasn’t limited him in the box score. When he is on the floor, he is a priority on offense, which has allowed him to provide plenty of points and 3-pointers. The steals have generally been there for him throughout his career, and that has continued this season, though he set a new season-high in this game. It’s unclear when Vassell will make a move back to the starting lineup, but his value will only rise. If there is a buy low period, now is the time.