The San Antonio Spurs' future is looking promising. Victor Wembanyama is recovering from his shoulder thrombosis diagnosis from last season and is now the early favorite for the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Additionally, the core around him ensures that the Spurs will take a huge leap forward this upcoming season.
Still, when you look back over the years, the Spurs have had their share of players who did not reach their full potential and were, instead, difficult to watch. Before praising their current situation, let's take a quick dive into the team archives and glance over a select few players, post-Kawhi Leonard era, who frustrated most fans.
Spurs' most difficult players to watch during this post-Kawhi Leonard Era
5. F Luka Samanic, 2019-2021
In 2019, forward Luka Samanic declared for the NBA Draft after a successful stint with a Slovenian organization. His length and athleticism were impressive, and his shooting stroke stood out every time he played, but it came with a price.
After joining the NBA, he quickly became a liability due to his lack of effort on the court. Being a part of a Spurs team that values effort, toughness, and execution, Samanic struggled to fit in. Regardless of his skill set, Luka's basketball motor ran worse than a run-down 1975 Chevy, hurting any chance of consistent playing time.
Samanic could have been one of the next great international Spurs gems if he really wanted to. Clearly, he did not.
4. G Lonnie Walker IV, 2018-2022
As harsh as this sounds, if you saw "inconsistency" in a sports dictionary, Lonnie Walker IV's name could be on the list. Man, even typing that out stings a little. A fan-favorite, Walker was someone who would jump out of the gym on most nights and knock down big shots. But over time, he was far too inconsistent for the team, making highlight plays near the rim or beyond the arc one game and then going M.I.A the next.
Additionally, his heavy inconsistencies on defense made him lose minutes in a drastic way. Although still beloved in San Antonio circles for his character, Walker IV was very hard to watch most years.
3. G/F Keldon Johnson, 2019-Present
Keldon Johnson is another fan-favorite and someone who can ignite the crowds some nights. Let's emphasize the phrase "some nights." Johnson reminds fans of that one player on your AAU team growing up who would be put into the game to try to spark a run. However, his tunnel vision and inability to let the game come to him put him back on the bench.
A big reason for Johnson starting as many games as he has over the last few years is simply because of the lack of talent the Spurs had before Wemby's arrival. This situation forced Coach Gregg Popovich to keep Keldon on the floor far too often.
Johnson's tendency to play sloppily and get into foul trouble will always be his Achilles' heel. While he is still a Spur for the time being, Johnson's time in San Antonio has to be running out.
2. C Zach Collins, 2021-2025
The Spurs have had several impressive backup big men over the last two decades, including Malik Rose, Robert Horry, Rasho Nesterovic, Matt Bonner, and DeJuan Blair, among others. Center Zach Collins was expected to be the next in line. After struggling with injuries during his first two seasons with the Spurs, Collins began to show some life in 2023.
Collins appeared to be a true enforcer at times and could stretch the floor with ease, but he lacked the toughness to be effective on defense under the basket and quickly became a liability. This led to his trade to the Chicago Bulls earlier this year.
1. G/F Devin Vassell, 2020-Present
When Devin Vassell was drafted at pick 11 in 2020, he became the highest draft choice for San Antonio since 1997. With the Spurs, Vassell has fluctuated between being the team’s second option to a simple role player.
Expected to develop into a quality three-and-D player, Vassell showed flashes of promise during his rookie year and was the perfect player for Popovich. However, he continues to fall further out of favor with fans these days.
Vassell is now the team's fifth option because of his many inconsistencies. He could take over games some nights and then be a non-factor when the team needs him the most. Vassell loves San Antonio, often being seen with his teammates during the off-season. Despite this, he has struggled to be a true weapon for them. Vassell has All-Star capabilities, but nowadays, he finds himself in every trade rumor.