The Spurs’ biggest problem right now is a good one: there are more useful players on the roster than there are minutes to go around. That sounds like a blessing, and it is, but it also hands Mitch Johnson a delicate job. He has to sort out the rotation without letting the ripple effects turn into something bigger.
The toughest version of that issue may come in the backcourt, where De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are headed for a direct clash over playing time. Fox asked to be traded to San Antonio specifically to play alongside Victor Wembanyama, so any move that sends him to the bench would land with extra weight. Harper is younger and should be able to handle waiting his turn, but the Spurs still have to make the best basketball decision, not the easiest emotional one.
That’s where the team’s own message comes into play. San Antonio talks constantly about selflessness, and that standard has to reach everybody.
If Harper ends up outplaying Fox and gives the Spurs a better chance to win, then the question becomes whether Swipa would accept a smaller role for the good of the team. That would be the selfless move from the 2x All-Star.
Fox remains a high-level player and a veteran with his own expectations, and Johnson can’t simply erase that reality. What he can do is make sure the message is clear from the beginning. If Fox understands why a decision is made and what his role looks like after it, that goes a long way toward keeping him locked in.
The same kind of conversation could come up in other spots, too. Keldon Johnson and Carter Bryant are competing for backup wing minutes, and that could get tricky if Bryant’s development pushes Keldon further down the chart behind Devin Vassell, Tobias Harris, and Julian Champagnie. Keldon wants to stay in San Antonio for good, so Johnson will need to make sure he doesn’t feel pushed aside if the younger player earns more run.
Then there’s the backup center spot behind Wemby, where Luke Kornet is currently first in line. Kornet left a lot to be desired in the recent postseason run, and Tarris Reed Jr. could step in and provide similar production with more athleticism and force. If Reed proves he deserves those minutes, Kornet may have to deal with a reduced role.
None of these situations are identical, but they all point to the same challenge. Players are easier to keep on board when they understand why the coach made the call. Clear communication can keep hurt feelings from becoming a real issue.
That kind of touch was always one of Gregg Popovich’s calling cards. Now it’s on his protege to carry that forward and get the most out of everyone, no matter how the minutes shake out.
In Other News...
Stephon Castle Is Giving The Spurs A Second All-Star Dream
Stephon Castle has already pushed himself into the center of the Spurs future plans after two strong NBA seasons and a notable run in the 2026 playoffs. For a team that has been building around its young core, Castles rise has been one of the clearest signs that San Antonio may not have to wait long for another genuine centerpiece to emerge.
Richard Jefferson recently pointed to the next step as the one that could really change the conversation, suggesting Castle is positioned for a larger role and more confidence going forward. Coming off a second season in which he averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists, Castle is no longer just a promising piece for the Spurs - he is starting to look like the kind of player who could force an All-Star debate as soon as next season. [Read more 🡒]
Tony Parker Just Put Real Pressure On Victor Wembanyama And Spurs
Victor Wembanyamas ascent already has the Spurs talking like a contender, and Tony Parker is adding a little more fuel to the expectations. The former San Antonio star recently backed Wembanyamas future in a big way, pointing to the young centers ability to anchor a championship run while the Spurs keep reshaping the roster around him with additions like DeAaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Tobias Harris.
That kind of confidence comes with a hefty standard attached, especially after Wembanyamas breakout season, when he put up eye-catching numbers across the board and helped push San Antonio all the way to the NBA Finals. Parker also sees the pressure extending beyond the Spurs, with Wembanyama positioned as the kind of player who could lead France to the top of the international game, which only raises the stakes for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Wembanyama Gave Spurs Fans One More Reason To Be Excited And Concerned
Victor Wembanyama wrapped up his stint with the French national team by helping Team France to an 84-69 win over Team Sweden in the FIBA qualifiers, a performance that gave Spurs fans plenty to enjoy. The 7-foot-4 centerpiece was active on both ends, showing the kind of inside presence and overall influence that makes him such a unique force as he heads toward the upcoming NBA season.
There was still a familiar wrinkle attached to the outing, though, as his free throw shooting remains something to watch. For San Antonio, that blend of dominance and unfinished polish is part of the Wembanyama experience, and it leaves the next stage of his development feeling both encouraging and a little bit unresolved. [Read more 🡒]