Harrison Barnes Is Quietly Reclaiming His Role - And the Spurs Are Better for It
The Spurs didn’t make a splash at the trade deadline, and for a minute, that raised some eyebrows. With Harrison Barnes struggling and Jeremy Sochan sliding out of the rotation, power forward looked like a glaring weak spot. But fast forward a few games, and it’s clear San Antonio might’ve had the answer in-house all along.
Let’s start with Barnes. His production had dipped earlier in the season, and questions about his role - or even his future with the team - weren’t out of line.
But lately, he’s been trending in the right direction. Over his last 10 games, Barnes has knocked down 43.2% of his 3-point attempts on 4.4 tries per game.
That’s not quite vintage Barnes, but it’s a significant improvement and a sign that he’s still got something left in the tank.
One key change? His minutes.
Barnes has gone from logging over 30 minutes a night to averaging just 25.7 over this recent stretch. In the Spurs’ most recent matchup against Dallas, he played only 22 minutes - a far cry from his earlier workload.
Coming off the bench seems to be working for him. With fewer minutes, there’s less wear and tear, and more opportunity to stay fresh and efficient.
And timing couldn’t be better. The upcoming All-Star break gives Barnes and the rest of the Spurs a full eight days off. That’s a much-needed breather for a 34-year-old veteran who’s being asked to shift into a new role midseason.
A New Role, A Renewed Impact
Julian Champagnie has stepped into the starting lineup and, to his credit, has outperformed Barnes on both ends this season. It was the right move - Champagnie brings energy, length, and a growing confidence that fits well alongside Victor Wembanyama. But that doesn’t mean Barnes is out of the picture.
In fact, since moving to the bench, Barnes has responded exactly how the Spurs hoped he would. Over his last five games, he’s shooting a blistering 51.9% from deep on 5.1 attempts per game. That’s elite-level shooting, and it’s coming at a time when San Antonio is trying to solidify its rotation heading into the back half of the season.
He’s not the only option, though. Carter Bryant has had a couple of strong showings recently, giving head coach Mitch Johnson another look at the four. There’s also Luke Kornet, and of course, the “French Vanilla” pairing - Wembanyama and another big - that continues to be a fun wrinkle in the Spurs’ frontcourt strategy.
Solving the Power Forward Puzzle
What once looked like a problem at power forward is starting to look like a manageable rotation. Between Barnes, Champagnie, Bryant, and the occasional minutes from Kornet, the Spurs have enough to piece together 48 solid minutes at the position. It’s not a position of strength like point guard - where San Antonio features a trio of dynamic playmakers - but it’s no longer a liability either.
Barnes’ resurgence is a big reason why. He’s not being asked to carry the load, and that’s a good thing.
At this stage in his career, playing 20 minutes a night against second units is an ideal fit. He can still stretch the floor, punish defenders who close out recklessly, and provide a steady veteran presence on the court.
This isn’t the role most fans envisioned for Barnes when the season tipped off. But after a rough couple of months, he’s found a way to contribute - and that matters.
The Spurs need his shooting, his experience, and his ability to adapt. And if he can keep this up post-All-Star break, San Antonio’s quiet decision to stand pat at the deadline might end up looking a lot smarter than it did on paper.