Victor Wembanyama will still be out there for the final seven games, but two key parts of the San Antonio Spurs young core — Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan — have been shut down for the season, the team announced Monday.
Vassell underwent an MRI Monday in San Antonio, revealing a stress reaction to the third metatarsal head in his right foot. He will not require surgery but will be off his foot for some time.
On a roster about to see heavy turnover in the next couple of years to build around Wembanyama, Vassell is as close to a lock to remain as there is. He averaged 19.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds a game and fit well playing with Wembanyama. Vassell signed a five-year, $135 million rookie extension contract last summer that kicks in next season, so the Spurs have him locked up at a reasonable price.
Sochan will undergo arthroscopic surgery to deal with a left ankle impingement, according to the team report. Sochan had an up-and-down season as Gregg Popovich and the Spurs asked him to play a point-forward role to start the season, but that did not work out. After returning to a more traditional forward role he found a lane with the team. Sochan averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists a game this season.
At 18-57, the Spurs are out of the West postseason race and on track to have a top-five pick (depending on the NBA Draft Lottery).
