The eye from Spurs followers throughout Summer season League has rightfully been directed at determining what rookies Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper can do, and marveling on the scoring prowess of shock standout David Jones-Garcia. They’ve been the celebrities of the present.
Riley Minix and Harrison Ingram have understandably taken a again seat to these three, however after spending final season on two-way contracts, this is a vital summer season for them. Proper now, neither has a spot assured, however their play may get them one if they will proceed to do what acquired them seen within the first place whereas exhibiting sufficient progress in some key areas.
Ingram and Minix are coming off their greatest sport in Las Vegas. The forty eighth decide within the 2024 draft completed with 15 factors, 14 rebounds and 6 assists whereas the sharpshooting wing hit a game-winner to beat the Jazz. For the competitors, Ingram is averaging 8.7 factors, 9.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Minix is averaging 12 factors and 5 rebounds whereas making over 50 p.c of his outdoors pictures. These numbers are usually not all that dissimilar from their G League stats and paint an excellent image of who they’re as gamers.
Minix is an authorized sniper who makes use of his dimension to contribute on the boards. That’s an excellent base to have. The query is what else he can do at a excessive degree and whether or not it’s practical to count on him to develop a swing ability. Presently, he doesn’t have an incredible ground sport. Can he ultimately develop into a secondary playmaker? Contemplating he’s 25 years outdated and has by no means stuffed that function, it feels unlikely. He tries on protection, and not too long ago acquired reward from Spurs’ Summer season League coach Mike Noyes for his effort on that finish, however is simply too restricted bodily to be above common on that finish. His greatest wager is to develop into not only a good however an incredible cutter and motion shooter who by no means turns the ball over, following the Doug McDermott path. His above-average ending on the rim within the G League is an encouraging signal, and he’s already turnover-averse, so there are causes to be cautiously optimistic.
Whereas Minix is a specialist, Ingram is the other. He has no standout expertise however does so much at a good degree. He’s huge and cellular sufficient to be a good defender throughout a few positions, however not an incredible one. He’s an excellent rebounder, however his top and lack of bounce might damage him towards higher competitors in that space if he performs energy ahead within the NBA. He retains the ball shifting and is sweet at discovering the open man, however he’s not somebody who can create benefits. There’s a lot about him that implies he may very well be a strong function participant off the bench, however there’s one weak spot that can forestall him from even getting to indicate that: his poor outdoors capturing. Ingram made solely 29 p.c of his threes within the G League and has made simply 5 of his 16 makes an attempt in Summer season League (three of these got here towards the Jazz), exhibiting that he’s not a menace even in low quantity. He wants to enhance there to have a shot within the league.
The excellent news is that there are clear paths for each to develop into NBA-caliber function gamers. Minix may very well be a motion scorer which may not create for others historically, however does so by commanding the eye of the protection. Ingram is a shot away from being a Grant Williams-type who affords just a little little bit of the whole lot with out taking something off the desk. The query is how possible it’s that it’ll occur anytime quickly, and whether or not the Spurs ought to put money into serving to them get there. There is a chance price in retaining them in a two-way spot that might go to another person. Minix is 25. Ingram is 23. Undoubtedly not too outdated to have upside, however already bodily mature. It’s not arduous to make a case for riskier however increased ceiling choices.
The 2 have clearly performed sufficient of their Spurs tenure for the entrance workplace to contemplate them worthy of one other look, or they wouldn’t be on the Summer season League roster. They are going to possible get a coaching camp supply as properly, as each have had their good moments thus far. Even when they’re each retained on two-way offers, there shall be a spot open on that sort of contract, plus a daily roster spot accessible. There’s no must half methods but, however it’s additionally not too early to be occupied with their place within the franchise, because the Las Vegas match winds down.
The spotty observe report most groups, together with the Spurs, have with two-way gamers reveals that it’s not straightforward to develop fringe tasks into contributors. Ingram and Minix might ultimately get there, as their newest efficiency in Summer season League confirmed. Hopefully, they’ll reward San Antonio’s funding in them by changing into the uncommon success tales that present groups with low cost depth in an period wherein engaged on the fringes might show extra worthwhile than ever as a result of new cap restrictions.
