Basketball is back for the city of San Antonio. Preseason is about shaking off the rust, experimenting with lineups and seeing who can do what when the games are live. They don’t count toward the regular season total, but there’s no doubt about what they mean: a return to NBA action.

The Spurs will face their younger counterparts on Monday, October 7th at 7:00 pm CST in Oklahoma City. It has been almost six months since they last took to the pitch and unfortunately fans will have to wait a few more days at least to see Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama on the pitch.

Fans already knew that Devin Vassell wouldn’t be in consideration for a short while, so that part isn’t a surprise, but aside from CP3, it’s a bit shocking to see the rest of the names on the roster. Paul is approaching 40, so being cautious around him is wise and not entirely unexpected.

After practice on Saturday, Coach Pop informed the media that everyone except Vassell was healthy and training well. So at least injuries don’t seem to be a problem. Wembanyama competed in the Olympics, so a little extra rest isn’t the worst thing in the world, but now the uncertainty surrounding the rotation has become even greater. Let’s take a look at what it might look like.

PG: Tre Jones

Jones has plenty of experience running the show for San Antonio. He is the only other pure point guard on the team and therefore should be able to take over the position in Paul’s absence. After working with CP3, it will be fascinating to see if there are any subtle improvements to his game, as these are the things that influence victory and can only be learned from veteran experience.

SG: Malaki Branham

Branham talked about how hard he worked in the offseason, and Barnes confirmed that the work paid off. Branham is a goalscorer, and without Vassell and Wemby, San Antonio needs reliable points. Branham is a prime candidate to fill this void.

SF: Harrison Barnes

Barnes has experience as a small forward and power forward, but those roles have become somewhat mixed over the years. The boundary between the two positions is blurred, making it easy to move parts back and forth. He has the size, length and speed to play offensively and defensively from the wing. More importantly, he can create space on the floor with his shots.

PF: Jeremy Sochan

Sochan is the glue guy. His energy, hitting power and defense are vital for the Spurs. He allows them to switch and can defend the opposing team’s best wing. Dynamic wingers have long led the league, so having a man who can slow them down is crucial.

C: Sandro Mamukelashvili

Mamu is loved by Spurs fans everywhere, but he shouldn’t be a starting center in the NBA. Unfortunately, he is the only available player in the squad. Still, it will be good to see him out there again. His chemistry with Wemby was a revelation at the end of last season and hopefully he has developed his skills.

Sixth man: Keldon Johnson

KJ is one of the most polarizing players on the team, but that’s because fans expect more from him. He is the longest-serving player on the team and a great locker room guy. It would be great if he had a breakout year, and it seems like that’s what he’s aiming for. Johnson is in the best shape of his life and Coach Pop raved about how great he looks and how hard he’s worked.

There is a lot of intrigue surrounding Stephon Castle and for good reason. He received rave reviews in training camp, and if Paul is out, he will likely have a chance to play point guard. Pop has demonstrated his ability to play positions 1-3. So don’t be surprised wherever you see him.

Blake Wesley has a chance to do well this year. Both he and Branham have one year left on their contract and the Spurs have yet to exercise their options. The deadline is October 31st, so they will undoubtedly get plenty of chances to make their mark with the organization. Wesley focused on defense; Now he has to shoot some more.

Julian Champagnie was a starter last season, so it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t have a spot in the rotation. He shot the ball well and defended at a respectable level. Fans should expect more of the same.

Sidy Cissoko gets an honorable mention here. Pop has talked about how much he loves his game, but there’s still a lot of cleaning up to do, so don’t be surprised by a Cissoko sighting.