AI Summary
5 min read“He might be an all-star next year. We’re gonna be like, dang, year four, he’s gonna be an all-NBA player.” That’s how one host described Stephon Castle, the San Antonio guard who is at the center of a fascinating roster puzzle. On this episode of Locked on NBA Game Night, hosts Danny Cunningham and Swipe each picked five Western Conference players poised to take a leap this season. Their lists overlapped on two names—Castle and Dylan Harper—but the conversation that followed revealed a deeper tension: what happens when a team has too many good young players, and the salary cap forces uncomfortable decisions?
The Castle-Harper Consensus
Both hosts agreed that Castle and Harper are the most obvious breakout candidates in the West. Castle, the 21-year-old Spurs guard, showed real growth in his second season: 16.7 points per game, 33% from three, and 40% from January onward. He also held his own defensively against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the playoffs. But the hosts zeroed in on a glaring weakness: turnovers. Castle’s turnover rate was in the third percentile among scorers and the 19th percentile as a passer. “That’s inexcusable,” one host said. “That has to make a seismic improvement.” The other agreed, noting that if Castle can simply get to the 50th percentile in ball security, his elite athleticism, passing, and defense could make him a superstar.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:47) **Show Introduction & Western Conference Leap Format** - Hosts Danny Cunningham and Swipe introduce the episode, explaining they will each pick five Western Conference players poised to take a big step forward.
- 2 (03:29) **Stephon Castle - The Next-Gen Russell Westbrook?** - Both hosts lead with Spurs guard Stephon Castle, arguing he has All-NBA upside despite significant turnover issues.
- 3 (15:05) **Dylan Harper - Playoff Revelation & Roster Logjam** - The hosts agree on Spurs guard Dylan Harper, citing his historic playoff efficiency and discussing the difficult lineup decisions his emergence creates.
- 4 (24:07) **Johan Beringer - The Wolves' Depth Bet** - Swipe selects Timberwolves center Johan Beringer as a deep cut, arguing he must become a legitimate rotation player to spell an aging Rudy Gobert.
- 5 (26:10) **LaMelo Ball - A New Chapter in Minnesota** - Danny argues LaMelo Ball will play the best basketball of his career now that he is no longer "the guy," playing alongside Anthony Edwards.
- 6 (28:12) **Cooper Flagg - Immediate Stardom in Dallas** - Swipe selects Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, predicting he will be an All-Star in his second season and an All-NBA player by year three.
- 7 (30:26) **Scoot Henderson - The Forgotten Blazer** - Swipe picks Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, arguing he is a better defender and more advanced player than most realize.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
On this edition of Locked On NBA Game Night, Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) and Swipa (Locked On Nuggets) breakdown their picks for who is set to take a leap this season in the Western Conference. The guys begin the conversation talking about Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper in San Antonio, Cooper Flagg in Dallas and LaMelo Ball in Minnesota.
Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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