2024-25 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread (Pt. 3)

[Ruma85]

Castle is going to be a future star IMO. There are questions about his shot but he has the uncanny ability to get to the rim, finish and draw fouls so even with a bad shot, he can still score with good efficiency.

Jimmy Butler 2.0

Isn't it a little early for that comparison?

It doesn't mean he's going to reach those heights, but there are a lot of similarities: almost exact same body type and measurements, very similar tendencies (2-way players that may not be great shooters but get to the rim at will with craft and strength and get to the line a lot). A thing to remember is that Jimmy entered the league at age 22 and Castle's stats right now are comparable (even slightly better) to Jimmy's numbers when he was 25 though he had an outlier developmental arc that is difficult to match, but early signs are very positive.

Let's hope so, I wonder how the league adjust to him next season when they have all this footage.

How the league adjust to him isn't as important as how the Spurs build around him. If they put some floor spacers around him (and Fox) then he's going to have it much easier compared to now.

League always adjust to rookies, weather it's successful is another story.

[wemby]

League always adjust to rookies, weather it's successful is another story.

Like I said, spacing on the Spurs right now is so bad that, even if teams give Castle the Westbrook treatment, he's going to look even better once there's a good shooting team around him. He's the kind of talent you adjust for and make it work, like the Thompson twins (he's a better shooting prospect than them, though).

[Handlez]

Filipowski was looking too good.

Jazz had to bench him.

[schnakenpopanz]

Read on Twitter

while talking about benching rookies who were playing too good

[Jamaaliver]

Risacher has come on pretty strong in 2025...but I suspect he still wouldn't make the cut by most RealGMers.

[G R E Y]

Read on Twitter

[Mr Puddles]

Risacher has come on pretty strong in 2025...but I suspect he still wouldn't make the cut by most RealGMers.

Was just coming here to say this, his 2025 has been impressive and he's starting to look better by the month.

[Jamaaliver]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Now show off those efficiency numbers...

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[Jamaaliver]

[PlatinumState]

Kal'el Ware has cooled off drastically lately

[Bornstellar]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Now show off those efficiency numbers...

Read on Twitter

Steph's efficiency numbers are irrelevant in this discussion imo, he also creates a ton of his own offense and doesn't have the luxury of standing in the corner and waiting for one of the best playmakers in the NBA to get him an open shot

Risacher has made some awesome strides this month but let's be real, unless he has some really big increase in productivity over the next month he is not going to be in the discussion for ROY. It's Castle ahead by a lot with Wells behind him and anyone else a distant third

[Jamaaliver]

Steph's efficiency numbers are irrelevant in this discussion imo, he also creates a ton of his own offense and doesn't have the luxury of standing in the corner and waiting for one of the best playmakers in the NBA to get him an open shot.

Gimme a break...

Steph Castle spent most of his rookie season playing alongside the 2nd most dominant big man on the planet and the greatest playmaking PG of his generation.

Steph Castle's spent most of the past month benefitting from the defensive attention that D Fox draws.

[Bornstellar]

Steph's efficiency numbers are irrelevant in this discussion imo, he also creates a ton of his own offense and doesn't have the luxury of standing in the corner and waiting for one of the best playmakers in the NBA to get him an open shot.

Gimme a break...

Steph Castle spent most of his rookie season playing alongside the 2nd most dominant big man on the planet and the greatest playmaking PG of his generation.

Steph Castle's spent most of the past month benefitting from the defensive attention that D Fox draws.

Lol what? Castle comes off the bench most of the time so no, not really. Keep playing that violin all you want my man, Castle is going to be the ROY regardless so I ain't crying about nothing

Btw CP3 is 40 years old dude. Who cares if he "was" the greatest playmaker of his generation. He's a shell of himself and can barely move out there. He ain't doing much for Castle

[ReggiesKnicks]

Steph's efficiency numbers are irrelevant in this discussion imo, he also creates a ton of his own offense and doesn't have the luxury of standing in the corner and waiting for one of the best playmakers in the NBA to get him an open shot.

Gimme a break...

Steph Castle spent most of his rookie season playing alongside the 2nd most dominant big man on the planet and the greatest playmaking PG of his generation.

Steph Castle's spent most of the past month benefitting from the defensive attention that D Fox draws.

Hmm...Not sure I agree Wemby is more dominant than Giannis or Jokic, certainly not offensively. I don't even think Wemby is better offensively than some other big men, that is if the discourse here is offensively.

Focusing first on Risacher, a majority of his minutes are sharing the floor with Trae Young, one of the better offensive anchors in the NBA.

1002 Minutes WITH Young
435 Minutes WITHOUT Young

69.7% of minutes with Young

Risacher w/ Young: 53.5 eFG%, 19.4% USG%, 35.2% of Shots At Rim. 80.0% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Risacher w/o Young: 46.2 eFG%, 22.3% USG%, 30.3% of Shots At Rim, 70.3% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Essentially, what we see here, is Trae Young makes the game easier for Risacher by a considerable margin. Risacher gets more 3PA and Shots at the Rim when he shares the floor with Young. Both of those shots are (for the most part) the most efficient shots in the NBA.

There is no question Trae Young helps Risacher as a player.

Now, let's look at Castle.

200 Minutes WITH Fox
734 Minutes WITH CP3
637 Minutes WITHOUT CP3 or Fox

59.1% of minutes with CP3 or Fox.

If you want to add Victor Wembanyama in here....

412 Minutes WITHOUT Fox or CP3 or Wemby

73.7% of Minutes with CP3 or Fox or Wemby

Castle w/ CP3: 48.4 eFG%, 24.5% USG%, 39.1% of Shots At Rim, 75.1% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o CP3: 46.6 eFG%, 25.4% USG%, 34.8% of Shots At Rim, 68.6% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Castle w/ Wemby: 49.9 eFG%, 77.4% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o Wemby: 45.3 eFG%, 66.7% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

In Conclusion, with a quick analysis, it does appear Trae is having a larger impact on Risacher compared to Wemby/CP3.

[Bornstellar]

Steph's efficiency numbers are irrelevant in this discussion imo, he also creates a ton of his own offense and doesn't have the luxury of standing in the corner and waiting for one of the best playmakers in the NBA to get him an open shot.

Gimme a break...

Steph Castle spent most of his rookie season playing alongside the 2nd most dominant big man on the planet and the greatest playmaking PG of his generation.

Steph Castle's spent most of the past month benefitting from the defensive attention that D Fox draws.

Hmm...Not sure I agree Wemby is more dominant than Giannis or Jokic, certainly not offensively. I don't even think Wemby is better offensively than some other big men, that is if the discourse here is offensively.

Focusing first on Risacher, a majority of his minutes are sharing the floor with Trae Young, one of the better offensive anchors in the NBA.

1002 Minutes WITH Young
435 Minutes WITHOUT Young

69.7% of minutes with Young

Risacher w/ Young: 53.5 eFG%, 19.4% USG%, 35.2% of Shots At Rim. 80.0% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Risacher w/o Young: 46.2 eFG%, 22.3% USG%, 30.3% of Shots At Rim, 70.3% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Essentially, what we see here, is Trae Young makes the game easier for Risacher by a considerable margin. Risacher gets more 3PA and Shots at the Rim when he shares the floor with Young. Both of those shots are (for the most part) the most efficient shots in the NBA.

There is no question Trae Young helps Risacher as a player.

Now, let's look at Castle.

200 Minutes WITH Fox
734 Minutes WITH CP3
637 Minutes WITHOUT CP3 or Fox

59.1% of minutes with CP3 or Fox.

If you want to add Victor Wembanyama in here....

412 Minutes WITHOUT Fox or CP3 or Wemby

73.7% of Minutes with CP3 or Fox or Wemby

Castle w/ CP3: 48.4 eFG%, 24.5% USG%, 39.1% of Shots At Rim, 75.1% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o CP3: 46.6 eFG%, 25.4% USG%, 34.8% of Shots At Rim, 68.6% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Castle w/ Wemby: 49.9 eFG%, 77.4% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o Wemby: 45.3 eFG%, 66.7% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

In Conclusion, with a quick analysis, it does appear Trae is having a larger impact on Risacher compared to Wemby/CP3.

Great breakdown. I already knew this to be the case but it's great to see the numbers reflect the eye test.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Gimme a break...

Steph Castle spent most of his rookie season playing alongside the 2nd most dominant big man on the planet and the greatest playmaking PG of his generation.

Steph Castle's spent most of the past month benefitting from the defensive attention that D Fox draws.

Hmm...Not sure I agree Wemby is more dominant than Giannis or Jokic, certainly not offensively. I don't even think Wemby is better offensively than some other big men, that is if the discourse here is offensively.

Focusing first on Risacher, a majority of his minutes are sharing the floor with Trae Young, one of the better offensive anchors in the NBA.

1002 Minutes WITH Young
435 Minutes WITHOUT Young

69.7% of minutes with Young

Risacher w/ Young: 53.5 eFG%, 19.4% USG%, 35.2% of Shots At Rim. 80.0% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Risacher w/o Young: 46.2 eFG%, 22.3% USG%, 30.3% of Shots At Rim, 70.3% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Essentially, what we see here, is Trae Young makes the game easier for Risacher by a considerable margin. Risacher gets more 3PA and Shots at the Rim when he shares the floor with Young. Both of those shots are (for the most part) the most efficient shots in the NBA.

There is no question Trae Young helps Risacher as a player.

Now, let's look at Castle.

200 Minutes WITH Fox
734 Minutes WITH CP3
637 Minutes WITHOUT CP3 or Fox

59.1% of minutes with CP3 or Fox.

If you want to add Victor Wembanyama in here....

412 Minutes WITHOUT Fox or CP3 or Wemby

73.7% of Minutes with CP3 or Fox or Wemby

Castle w/ CP3: 48.4 eFG%, 24.5% USG%, 39.1% of Shots At Rim, 75.1% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o CP3: 46.6 eFG%, 25.4% USG%, 34.8% of Shots At Rim, 68.6% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Castle w/ Wemby: 49.9 eFG%, 77.4% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o Wemby: 45.3 eFG%, 66.7% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

In Conclusion, with a quick analysis, it does appear Trae is having a larger impact on Risacher compared to Wemby/CP3.

Great breakdown. I already knew this to be the case but it's great to see the numbers reflect the eye test.

My eye test is also Risacher impacts winning on more levels and has more value as a spacer and connector at this stage in their careers, which the numbers don't contradict.

[Jamaaliver]

My eye test is also Risacher impacts winning on more levels and has more value as a spacer and connector at this stage in their careers, which the numbers don't contradict.

Bingo.

Zaccharie Risacher's length & versatility on defense along with his off-ball movement & play finishing on offense have been hugely beneficial to Trae Young this season. I struggle to believe that Steph Castle's presence has been as mutually beneficial to his star players.

ZR doesn't have star upside, but he'll be the most consistently useful for a competitive team...especially in post season play.





I'm curious what your early observations are on Alex Sarr...

[Bornstellar]

Hmm...Not sure I agree Wemby is more dominant than Giannis or Jokic, certainly not offensively. I don't even think Wemby is better offensively than some other big men, that is if the discourse here is offensively.

Focusing first on Risacher, a majority of his minutes are sharing the floor with Trae Young, one of the better offensive anchors in the NBA.

1002 Minutes WITH Young
435 Minutes WITHOUT Young

69.7% of minutes with Young

Risacher w/ Young: 53.5 eFG%, 19.4% USG%, 35.2% of Shots At Rim. 80.0% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Risacher w/o Young: 46.2 eFG%, 22.3% USG%, 30.3% of Shots At Rim, 70.3% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Essentially, what we see here, is Trae Young makes the game easier for Risacher by a considerable margin. Risacher gets more 3PA and Shots at the Rim when he shares the floor with Young. Both of those shots are (for the most part) the most efficient shots in the NBA.

There is no question Trae Young helps Risacher as a player.

Now, let's look at Castle.

200 Minutes WITH Fox
734 Minutes WITH CP3
637 Minutes WITHOUT CP3 or Fox

59.1% of minutes with CP3 or Fox.

If you want to add Victor Wembanyama in here....

412 Minutes WITHOUT Fox or CP3 or Wemby

73.7% of Minutes with CP3 or Fox or Wemby

Castle w/ CP3: 48.4 eFG%, 24.5% USG%, 39.1% of Shots At Rim, 75.1% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o CP3: 46.6 eFG%, 25.4% USG%, 34.8% of Shots At Rim, 68.6% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

Castle w/ Wemby: 49.9 eFG%, 77.4% of Shots At Rim or 3PA
Castle w/o Wemby: 45.3 eFG%, 66.7% of Shots At Rim or 3PA

In Conclusion, with a quick analysis, it does appear Trae is having a larger impact on Risacher compared to Wemby/CP3.

Great breakdown. I already knew this to be the case but it's great to see the numbers reflect the eye test.

My eye test is also Risacher impacts winning on more levels and has more value as a spacer and connector at this stage in their careers, which the numbers don't contradict.

I wouldn't disagree with that. Zacc has a highly coveted skillset in today's NBA and it meshes very well with a player like Trae. The Spurs are awful especially without Victor so it's difficult for Castle to impact winning at all, especially since our interim coach loves jerking him around, and especially considering his shot is a work in progress (though it is steadily getting better) and he has no spacers around him really. So I don't think it's unreasonable to say that Zacc has been more impactful in his role and has more value as a spacer than Castle does, no argument there

[7seventynine9]

My eye test is also Risacher impacts winning on more levels and has more value as a spacer and connector at this stage in their careers, which the numbers don't contradict.

Bingo.

Zaccharie Risacher's length & versatility on defense along with his off-ball movement & play finishing on offense have been hugely beneficial to Trae Young this season. I struggle to believe that Steph Castle's presence has been as mutually beneficial to his star players.

ZR doesn't have star upside, but he'll be the most consistently useful for a competitive team...especially in post season play.





I'm curious what your early observations are on Alex Sarr...

Why do you think ZR doesn't have star upside? Though maybe we have a different opinion on what a star is.

As far as Sarr is concerned, I think he's a middle class version of JJJ.

[The-Power]

My eye test is also Risacher impacts winning on more levels and has more value as a spacer and connector at this stage in their careers, which the numbers don't contradict.

In terms of eye test with might be true for you but the actual evidence is not really there for it.

Castle on-court net rating: -2.0
Castle on/off net rating: +1.3
Castle EPM: -0.1 (71st percentile)

Risacher on-court net rating: -4.4
Risacher on/off net rating: -4.0
Risacher EPM: -1.7 (49th percentile)

Castle is also firmly ahead in 3 out of 5 other all-in-one metrics, and only narrowly behind in two others.
https://www.nbarapm.com/player/Stephon_Castle
https://www.nbarapm.com/player/Zaccharie_Risacher

Overall, I think it's fair to conclude that neither player has a positive impact on winning yet. I can see an argument in favor of adding Risacher over Castle on a good playoff simply because he has a more clearly defined role. That doesn't make him a better ROY candidate (or even a more impactful player on an average team), though, and neither would play much in such a scenario either.