Early Returns on Carter Bryant Raise Questions for Spurs, But It’s Too Soon to Panic
We’re only halfway through the 2025-26 NBA season, but the early returns on a couple of lottery picks-Carter Bryant and Yang Hansen-have already sparked some second-guessing. Neither rookie has made the kind of immediate impact their teams hoped for, and while that’s not unusual for young prospects, it’s fair to wonder if both the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers might’ve overreached with their selections.
Let’s start with Carter Bryant. The 20-year-old forward was frequently mocked to the Trail Blazers at No. 11 in last year’s draft, but ultimately slid to the Spurs at No.
- On paper, the fit made sense.
San Antonio, with Victor Wembanyama anchoring the frontcourt and a dynamic young backcourt trio in De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle, had a clear need at the forward spot. Bryant was supposed to help fill that gap.
So far, though, it hasn’t materialized. Through the first half of the season, Bryant is averaging just 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game. His shooting splits-29.5% from the field and 24.4% from three-paint the picture of a rookie still trying to find his rhythm, his role, and frankly, his confidence.
That’s not to say the Spurs made a mistake-at least not definitively. San Antonio has earned the benefit of the doubt with its draft history and long-term vision. But Bryant’s slow start does raise a question: was it worth prioritizing positional need over best available talent in a draft that’s already producing standout rookies across the board?
It’s a fair question, especially considering the Spurs are no longer a team just stockpiling talent-they’re in the early stages of building something real. With Wembanyama already changing the game on both ends, and with Harper looking like a future All-Star, there’s a sense of urgency to surround them with contributors who can grow with them and elevate the team in the short term. Bryant, at least for now, hasn’t looked like that guy.
The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, passed on Bryant and instead moved back in the draft, trading with Memphis and selecting Yang Hansen. That pick hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire either, but Portland did pick up an extra first-rounder in the deal-something that could pay dividends down the line.
In hindsight, they could’ve gone with Cedric Coward or Derik Queen had they stayed at No. 11, both of whom have shown more polish early on. But hindsight is always 20/20 in the draft game.
The truth is, Bryant was always viewed as a bit of a project coming out of Arizona. His freshman numbers didn’t scream lottery pick, but his physical tools and flashes of offensive versatility gave scouts enough to dream on. That kind of player often takes time, and with San Antonio’s long-term outlook, the Spurs may be fine giving him that runway.
Still, the early struggles of both Bryant and Hansen are a reminder of how volatile the back end of the lottery can be. For every instant-impact rookie, there’s another who needs a year-or two-before they figure things out. And in a 2025 draft class that’s already looking deep beyond just Cooper Flagg, the pressure to hit on these picks is only magnified.
The silver lining for both franchises? They’re not in desperate need of a savior.
San Antonio already secured a cornerstone with Harper at No. 2, and Portland has a promising young group that includes Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. That foundation gives them the flexibility to take swings on upside plays like Bryant and Hansen.
So while the early numbers haven’t been pretty, the story on these rookies is far from written. Development isn’t linear, and sometimes the best thing a team can do is stay patient and trust the process. But as the rest of the 2025 rookie class continues to impress, the Spurs and Blazers will be watching closely-hoping their lottery tickets eventually pay off.