Keldon Johnson’s place in the Spurs’ rotation suddenly looks a lot less certain.
A rough preseason and a starting lineup change have put the veteran forward in a tricky spot, especially after he did not get a contract extension over the summer. San Antonio could still bring him back on a short-term deal, but that will hinge on how he performs this season. Based on opening night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, there is still plenty of the same Keldon Johnson on display: the hustle, the work on the glass, and the same reckless fouling that can get him into trouble against a team like OKC.
The bigger issue now is opportunity. With Julian Champagnie and Tobias Harris both moving to the bench, the Spurs’ second unit suddenly has a crowded forward group and very little ball-handling. San Antonio will almost certainly stagger its guard trio so one or two of those players are on the floor with the reserves, but even with that, it’s hard to imagine Johnson getting the same kind of run or having the same kind of award-winning impact he’s had before.
That doesn’t mean he can’t make the most of a smaller role. If there’s someone who can thrive by playing fewer minutes, it’s Johnson, whose high-energy style fits a short burst role.
Still, the margin is thin. If he doesn’t play well, he could slip out of the rotation entirely and wind up traded during the season or not brought back next summer.
The Spurs still need him, just not as much as they once did. Their added size at power forward has changed the math, and it means Johnson is no longer the 6'4" option at the four. That’s good news for the roster, but it also means he’s almost entirely tied to the three now, a spot he hasn’t played regularly in years.
There are reasons to think the fit could work. Johnson shot much better from three last season and has continued to slim down, which may help him handle more wing minutes.
But everything depends on how that second unit comes together with Johnson, Harris, Champagnie, and Luke Kornet. If that group doesn’t click, Johnson could be the one squeezed out.
For now, the Spurs need him to keep attacking the basket with reckless abandon, crash the offensive glass, and hit the occasional three. He may just have to do it in spot minutes rather than in a steady role.
In Other News...
Spurs First Win May Have Changed Wemby's Backup Picture
The Spurs first win of the season came with a little more than relief, because it also gave the staff a fresh look at who might soak up minutes behind Victor Wembanyama. In the 122-106 victory over Dallas, Wembanyama did most of the heavy lifting with 23 points, seven rebounds and five steals, attacking the paint with the kind of force San Antonio has wanted to see more often.
Lost in the final score was the debut of Tarris Reed, who got into the game for six minutes and managed two points and three rebounds. It was a small sample, but the opportunity itself mattered, especially for a team still sorting out the center rotation around Wembanyama and trying to find a reliable backup option who can hold the fort when he sits. [Read more 🡒]
Stephon Castle May Have Given Spurs Lineup Exactly What It Needed
The Spurs finally got into the win column with a 122-106 result over the Mavericks, and Stephon Castle was a big reason the night looked so much smoother. He scored 19 points, knocked down three triples and handed out eight assists, a mix of shot-making and playmaking that gave San Antonio a more dynamic feel on offense.
Castles versatility stood out because it helped the Spurs keep Dallas from settling in defensively and gave the group a cleaner rhythm throughout the game. For a team still sorting out its best combinations early in the season, that kind of two-way offensive blend can be the difference between looking stuck and looking like a lineup worth sticking with. [Read more 🡒]
Tarris Reed Jr. May Force His Way Into Spurs Minutes Fast
Tarris Reed Jr. arrived in San Antonio with a clear purpose, and the preseason only sharpened that idea. The rookie big man averaged 9.2 rebounds in 17 minutes per game, giving the Spurs an early look at the kind of interior presence they were targeting when they brought him in on draft night to help fill the need for a third center.
What makes Reed interesting is how quickly he could become more than an insurance option. His value starts on the glass, especially offensively, where his energy and positioning can swing possessions, and his role could expand depending on the health of the other centers ahead of him. For a Spurs team still sorting out its frontcourt depth, Reed has already done enough to make himself hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]