Kenny Smith Doubts Spurs' Three-Guard Starting Lineup
The NBA analyst questioned whether San Antonio can sustain the unusual alignment of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
NBA analyst Kenny Smith questioned whether the San Antonio Spurs can sustain their three-guard starting lineup of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Smith made the remarks on ESPN's "Inside the NBA" pregame show ahead of the Spurs' home game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Why it matters
The Spurs are 5-2 and riding a five-game winning streak, so the lineup's durability will shape how the team performs over the coming weeks. Smith's skepticism puts a spotlight on whether the approach can hold up against bigger opponents.
The Spurs are 5-2 and on a five-game winning streak. Castle moves to small forward in the three-guard lineup, a spot that brings additional rebounding responsibilities.
The players
Kenny Smith
Kenny Smith is a former NBA guard and longtime analyst on TNT's and ESPN's NBA coverage, known for his work on "Inside the NBA."
De'Aaron Fox
De'Aaron Fox is a Spurs guard who starts in the team's three-guard lineup.
Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle is a Spurs guard who plays small forward in the three-guard lineup and takes on extra rebounding duties.
Dylan Harper
Dylan Harper is a Spurs guard who starts in the team's three-guard lineup alongside Fox and Castle.
The details
Smith said the arrangement works only if Castle, who plays small forward in the three-guard group, can handle bigger opponents. Rather than using his athleticism to run in for rebounds, Castle must box out to secure them.
Timeline
Wednesday: Kenny Smith made his remarks on the ESPN pregame show ahead of the Spurs' home matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
Season Trajectory
The Spurs' three-guard alignment extends the small-ball approach, which asks a guard to take on forward duties and rebounding against bigger opponents. How the lineup handles those matchups will help determine whether San Antonio can compete for a higher playoff seed this season.
Fantasy managers should note that Castle's role at small forward and added rebounding duties could affect his counting stats. The lineup's durability will shape how the Spurs' starters are used over the coming weeks.
The takeaway
A small-ball lineup works only when every player accepts the extra responsibilities it demands. Watching how Castle handles rebounding against bigger opponents will show whether the Spurs' alignment is sustainable.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Basketball coverage for San Antonio.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Antonio Express-News.
