In the Spurs’ recent loss to the Pelicans, Harrison Barnes logged just 19 minutes on the floor - more than only two rookies who saw action that night. For a 14-year veteran with a championship pedigree and a long résumé of big-game experience, that’s not just a stat. That’s a signal.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Barnes’ role in San Antonio needs to shift - and sooner rather than later. We’ve seen this kind of transition before.
Look no further than Golden State, where Klay Thompson, a player with as much legacy weight as anyone in the league, accepted a move to the bench. If Klay can do it, so can Barnes.
A Bench Role Could Be a Reset, Not a Demotion
This isn’t about writing Barnes off. It’s about finding a role that better fits where he is right now - and where the Spurs are trying to go.
There’s been chatter about trading him, and yes, he’s on the final year of his deal. But unless San Antonio has a clear upgrade lined up, one who can contribute both now and in the long term, it may be smarter to look internally before dialing up the trade machine.
Barnes still brings value. He’s a steady presence, he knows how to play within a system, and he’s capable of producing in the right context. But right now, the starting lineup might not be that context.
Imagine a starting five of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Victor Wembanyama, and Luke Kornet. That group has barely shared the floor - just five total minutes together - which means there’s no real data to lean on.
But the potential is there. It’s a lineup that offers a blend of shot creation, defensive versatility, and size, with Kornet anchoring the middle and Wemby floating between positions like the unicorn he is.
The Champagnie Case
There’s also a compelling case to give Julian Champagnie more run with the starters. Over the past month, he’s been one of the few consistent contributors in the rotation - not flashy, but effective. His impact doesn’t always show up in the box score, but the +/- numbers tell a story: when he’s on the floor, good things tend to happen.
Swapping Barnes for Champagnie could help open up the floor for Wembanyama, Fox, and Castle. Champagnie’s spacing helps create driving lanes and cleaner looks from deep, and that’s something this offense could use more of.
But there’s a wrinkle here - and his name is Luke Kornet.
Kornet’s Quiet Impact
Kornet doesn’t rack up highlight plays, but his screen assists are off the charts. He’s got 151 on the season - far and away the most on the team.
For comparison, Wembanyama is second… with 40. Then it’s Barnes with 33, Sochan with 32, and Champagnie with 29.
That’s a massive gap, and it highlights just how much Kornet contributes to the flow of the offense, even if he’s not scoring or grabbing headlines.
So while Champagnie might bring more spacing, Kornet brings structure. That’s a tough balance to strike, and it’s exactly why head coach Charles Johnson has some big decisions to make - and not much time to make them.
The Clock Is Ticking
The trade deadline is February 5. That’s just over a week away.
If the Spurs are going to make a move, whether it’s shipping Barnes out or just reshuffling the rotation, it needs to happen soon. The team needs time to build chemistry with whatever lineup they’re going to roll with post-deadline.
Barnes hasn’t been able to find his rhythm for most of the season. That doesn’t mean he can’t help this team - but it might mean he needs to do it from a different role. Whether it’s Champagnie stepping in, or a new-look starting five with Castle and Kornet getting more shine, the Spurs need to start locking in on their identity.
If a trade isn’t on the table, a bench role should be. Either way, change feels inevitable - and necessary.