There's been plenty of doomsday scenarios, underrating guys, and low expectations discussed when it comes to almost any team, quite frankly. We're in the negativity era, and nobody is exempt, so allow me to bring some light and optimism to the conversation. Consider the possibility that the Spurs will shoot the ball very well next year. The supposed need for more shooters would evaporate immediately.
It may seem far-fetched, but when you think about the progress they made over the past two seasons as a group, it's not outlandish by any means. San Antonio's roster was a bottom-five team from deep two years ago. Last year, they were closer to the middle of the pack. They could make another next season, and if they do, the guys could find themselves right outside the top-10 or just inside of it.
The Spurs have players who can shoot the ball
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Harrison Barnes just had an out-of-body experience, shooting 43% from range, and who's to say that doesn't continue? He's the ultimate professional, and his opportunities are only going to improve with De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama sure to level up during the offseason. But he won't be the only one with high expectations.
We've seen Devin Vassell shoot 39% from three for an entire season. Let's assume he gets back on track after a tumultuous year for the Georgia-born hooper. That's another huge weapon, especially considering how many minutes he'll be relied on to play.
Julian Champagnie shot 37%. It was a marginal improvement from his previous season, but an improvement nonetheless. If he takes another step forward, the Spurs have another threat from the perimeter shooting above the league average (36.2%).
Rookies don't always maintain their shooting efficiency when they take the leap to the pros, but sometimes they do. If Carter Bryant keeps his number at 37%, defenses have to respect it. Dylan Harper knows he needs to work on his shot. If he comes in at about the average, it's another weapon for the Spurs to deploy.
We know that [Wembanyama is a basketball fiend](https://airalamo.com/victor-wembanyama-reach-unstoppable-status-small-improvement). He likes to take the three, and you know he's working on it. He shot 35% last season after 32% for his rookie season. Another nice elevation puts him above league average. He's not a normal player. He'll grow faster than other guys, so I won't put 38% past him.
Kelly Olynyk shot 42%. Fox shot 37% on the season the year before he busted the pinky on his shooting hand. We've even borne witness to a 40% year from Keldon Johnson in the 2021-2022 campaign. The work that Jeremy Sochan has shown us also emphasizes his dedication to what's needed to help the team thrive: shooting.
I don't know about you, but I'm going to take the optimistic approach here and believe the guys are going to rain threes at a much higher clip than years past. If that happens, along with Wembanyama coming to dominate everything in sight, and Fox [ready to prove the doubters wrong](https://airalamo.com/spurs-fans-framing-deaaron-fox-extension-wrong-actually-steal), the Spurs will be contending much faster than any of us thought.