In the last three NBA Drafts, the San Antonio Spurs took some of the best players, if not the very best.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle won Rookie of the Year, with Wemby being easily the best prospect in recent memory. In 2025, the Spurs picked Dylan Harper second overall, who was in a class of his own between Cooper Flagg and everyone else.
Wemby, Castle, and Harper all already have one thing in common, and it's not something Spurs fans particularly enjoy.
The Summer League, to fans at least, is a chance to see long-awaited prospects get their first taste of NBA basketball. For teams, it's a chance to get their rookies used to the pace and physicality.
However, if there is no doubt that those rookies are already prepared for the NBA, there really isn't a point to play in the Summer League, aside from appeasing fans.
Wembanyama played in only two Summer League games before the Spurs decided further playing time was unnecessary, and Castle played in three games before a wrist injury flared up.
Harper is dealing with a nagging groin injury and will not play in the California Classic, although there are hopes he will suit up for the Las Vegas Summer League.
Like Castle, the severity of Harper's injury is not a concern, and there is a very real reason to suspect that the injury is largely fabricated, with the Spurs simply playing it safe with their prized youngster. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.