With one other strike of lottery luck, the Spurs had been in a position to land on the prime of the draft but once more. The upcoming second general decide would be the Spurs’ third top-four decide in as a few years, and one other guard is the forecasted decide: Dylan Harper out of Rutgers.
Wanting on the present roster of guards, newly acquired De’Aaron Fox paired subsequent to Rookie of the 12 months first teamer Stephon Fortress gave the impression to be the Spurs’ one-two punch going ahead. That was earlier than this decide fell into their lap. Now, if the draft goes as predicted, the Spurs have the duty of becoming one other prospect into that point-and/or-shooting guard spot.
The fast profile on Harper reads clear as day: he is a scorer. He can assault the basket with creativity and appears to drift to the rim every time he desires. His deal with, footwork, and ending are what stand out from the movie. Lengthy story brief, he can cook dinner, averaging 19.4 factors per recreation on 13.8 discipline purpose makes an attempt.
Naturally although, that comes with a excessive utilization, 29 % in response to sports-reference.com. Comparitevly, Fox and Fortress each held a utilization of 26 % final yr. Harper might want to get used to the thought of seeing the ball much less on the skilled degree. Nobody is saying he can’t match right into a system, however it’s one thing to make an observation of.
Even with Fortress or Harper coming off the bench, would this be a case of “too many cooks within the kitchen?” Many would possibly do not forget that Fox was in a scenario in Sacramento with one other level guard prospect, now Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. At a high-level look, one might say that it didn’t work. Haliburton was traded after solely 109 video games.
Nonetheless, the Kings solely discovered marginal success swapping Haliburton for heart Domantas Sabonis. It spawned the Kings their first playoff delivery in many years however was quickly adopted up with quintessential Kings mismanagement, resulting in De’Aaron Fox’s commerce request to San Antonio. Given the Kings’ historic monitor document of poor decision-making, perhaps they shouldn’t be seemed to for steering on team-building selections. Wanting again, it’s totally attainable Fox and Haliburton might have performed collectively, given their tendencies to maneuver the ball up the ground at excessive tempo and Haliburton’s pure expertise to get assists.
Even when separating Fox and Haliburton was the best transfer, there isn’t a cause Fox can’t play with different gifted guards as we speak. It’s been three full years since that commerce, and Fox has solely confirmed to develop as a participant. On this scenario with Harper and Fortress, he could be the “grownup within the room.” The veteran of the backcourt working the present with two younger abilities subsequent to him, it’s a completely completely different scenario.
But when Fox is the established man, that doesn’t essentially outline Fortress and Harper’s roles. Realistically talking, although, that isn’t an issue. Fortress is 20 and Harper is nineteen. They shouldn’t have their roles fully outlined but. Fortress has proven he can play on and off the ball. Harper, whereas ball dominant in faculty, not less than confirmed he could make the open move and make some catch-and-shoot threes. It could possibly be argued he profiles extra as an undersized wing than a guard.
General, having three extremely athletic guys with some overlapping abilities isn’t inherently a foul factor and can truly open a wide range of prospects, each in rotation and taking part in all of them collectively. To not point out that alongside a game-breaking participant like Victor Wembanyama, a standard lineup was by no means a necessity.
This isn’t to say it will likely be a magic match instantaneously. It is going to take good teaching and administration to make all of it work, however followers ought to need nothing much less from this group. It could take a bit of trial and error, however as soon as coach Mitch Johnson finds what works, don’t be stunned if issues take off. It is going to be a number of expertise condensed collectively, however the Spurs could make that work higher than anybody.
