Tarris Reed Jr. may not have had to look far for the right example in San Antonio. The Spurs rookie landed in a spot that could help him settle into the NBA, and Luke Kornet looks like the ideal veteran to show him how to do it.
That connection matters because Reed Jr. and Kornet share a lot of the same calling cards: size, physicality and the ability to play center the hard way. Kornet has spent nearly 10 years in the league despite going undrafted, and he did it by mastering the small details that keep you on a roster. Reed Jr., a second round pick, will need that same approach if he wants to last.
Early signs have been encouraging. Reed Jr. flashed in both of his preseason appearances, collecting three offensive rebounds in 10 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks and then putting up 10 points and 6 rebounds in just 9 minutes against the Phoenix Suns. That kind of energy and production could give San Antonio’s front line a real boost.
He already brings one useful skill that stands out: offensive rebounding. He also looks like a strong screen setter, and that’s an area the Spurs need outside of Kornet.
For a rookie big, the next step is usually staying on the floor without piling up fouls, especially on moving screens and around the rim. Kornet has built his career on being a solid rim protector and dependable screener while fouling less than most players at his position, which makes him a natural teacher for Reed Jr.
The fit is even better because their games are similar enough for Kornet’s lessons to translate quickly. San Antonio could use another bruising center in that mold, and Reed Jr. has a chance to become that player.
He starts the season third on the center depth chart, but that doesn’t mean the role will stay small. Last season, Victor Wembanyama missed 18 games and Kornet missed 10, which made a third center necessary. The Spurs have already seen how quickly that depth can matter.
So Reed Jr. needs to be ready. If he can rebound on the glass, especially on the offensive end, set hard screens, protect the rim and finish around it, he could earn real minutes as a rookie. The Spurs even experimented with using him alongside Kornet in the preseason against the Atlanta Hawks.
They could also lean into more French Vanilla now that they have a usable third center. Whether that happens will come down to how much Reed Jr. can give them. If he keeps doing the dirty work, Kornet might be the perfect guide for getting him there.
In Other News...
Spurs Face A De'Aaron Fox Dilemma That Could Free Their Young Backcourt
A recent trade idea has put the Spurs in an interesting spot around DeAaron Fox, with the discussion centered less on what he has already done in San Antonio and more on how his presence shapes the rest of the roster. Bleacher Reports Greg Swartz floated a scenario involving Houston that would reshape both teams, and from the Spurs side it raises a familiar question for a rebuilding club: how much should fit matter when the long-term picture is still coming into focus?
For San Antonio, the bigger appeal may be what opens up behind Fox. A move like this would clear a path for Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle to share the backcourt, giving the Spurs a chance to lean further into their younger guards. It remains strictly speculative, and there is no indication either team is lining up to make it happen, but it is the sort of idea that naturally lingers because it speaks directly to the Spurs next phase. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Opening Lineup Comes With One Immediate Problem Fans Can See
San Antonio has not yet gotten a look at the starting group it had in mind, with De'Aaron Fox sidelined by soreness and tightness keeping the intended lineup on hold. Even before a minute is played together, the unit stands out for its lack of size, a trait that could matter against bigger frontcourts and teams built to punish the glass, like Oklahoma City.
Tobias Harris is the one player in the mix who can help address that issue once he is fully back from a left calf strain. His presence would give the Spurs more rebounding and a little more size to work with, but for now the question is whether he is ready to be part of the answer when the season opens. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Suddenly Need De'Aaron Fox For More Than Just Preseason Minutes
The Spurs have opened preseason with a pair of losses, even with Dylan Harper giving them reason to pay attention in both games. San Antonio has other established pieces in place already, with Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama set in their roles, so the point guard spot remains the most interesting battle on the roster as the team sorts out its backcourt.
De'Aaron Fox's return to the starting lineup is now expected to matter for more than just getting him back into game shape. The Spurs need a little more edge and urgency in these exhibition games, and Fox brings a level of competitiveness that can sharpen the group while the staff evaluates how the guard rotation should settle. For now, he and Harper are the two names to watch as San Antonio decides what the pecking order looks like. [Read more 🡒]