The Spurs, which didn’t appear to be making ready to make any main strikes within the offseason, made a stable if not essentially thrilling addition. San Antonio agreed to a two-year, $31 million cope with free agent ahead Tobias Harris utilizing their full non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception.
The signing raises some questions concerning the beginning lineup and the way the rotation will shake up, nevertheless it additionally brings one thing the 2025/26 Spurs lacked: a floor-raiser that ought to deliver stability to some items with out taking something away from a group that already had a sky-high ceiling.
Harris, 33, is a identified commodity. The veteran was by no means a star, even when he was compensated as one, however he has clear strengths and never many vital weaknesses. His profession averages of 16 factors and 6 rebounds on stable capturing splits paint an correct image of the kind of manufacturing he presents. At this stage of his profession, his scoring isn’t what it was in his prime, however he’s somebody who can hit an open three, rating towards mismatches from midrange and on the bucket, and maintain the ball shifting. Defensively, he’s not a stopper however makes use of his measurement and remaining athleticism nicely towards forwards and has sufficient mobility to not be a sieve within the perimeter. He’s additionally a superb rebounder and a sturdy participant, showing in beneath 60 video games simply twice, in his first two seasons, whereas taking part in 70 or extra in 9 of his 15 years within the league. In different phrases, a stable all-around contributor.
If that doesn’t sound too exhilarating, it’s comprehensible. The offseason has featured large, stunning trades involving stars and, generally, presents the likelihood to dream about underrated signings that change the fortune of groups fortunate or sensible sufficient to search out hidden gems. In that context, including a soon-to-be 34-year-old ahead who disenchanted when a franchise guess extremely on him and may be precisely described as regular if you’re a fan of his sport and uninteresting in the event you aren’t, may be thought of disappointing. The thriller field is all the time extra alluraing that an ample prize, and the offseason is a time of limitless alternatives till a group truly makes its strikes and actuality units in. It’s high-quality to take a look at Harris as the large addition the Spurs made and be merely content material as an alternative of thrilled. He’s simply not that thrilling.
The factor is, these Spurs didn’t actually need extra pleasure. Victor Wembanyama and the guards present loads of that. What a group that, at its greatest, can beat anybody whereas being exhilarating to observe wanted was to not undergo so many surprisingly low moments during which they appear too younger, too nonchalant, too predictable, or too confused to cease opponent runs or keep away from falling into holes. San Antonio had arguably the very best ceiling out of any group within the NBA final season, as their journey to the Finals and the sizable leads they held in every sport proved. The star energy was positively there. The issue was their low ground; they lacked steadiness throughout stretches, and that usually obtained them in bother. And in that space, a participant like Harris can completely assist, as he has completed for many of the groups he’s performed for in his profession.
Considered one of San Antonio’s points was defensive rebounding. Harris is nicely above common in that space, performing nicely individually each within the common season and the playoffs. Premature turnovers have been additionally a problem at occasions for the Silver and Black, and Harris isn’t a mistake-prone participant. Sometimes, the offense would stall out, with restricted gamers ending up with the ball of their palms late within the clock. Harris isn’t by any measure an offensive engine, as evidenced by the Pistons’ struggles to create beauty when Cade Cunningham didn’t have the ball, however he can bail out the odd possession as a pick-and-roll ball handler or put up scorer. He has the dimensions and power defensively to outlive towards most forwards, and he is aware of when to direct his man in direction of a assist defender, each qualities that a number of the Spurs’ energy forwards lacked at occasions. He’s a extra dependable model of what the Silver and Black had, primarily.
The one space during which his addition brings uncertainty is within the rotation. How large will his function be, and what’s going to occur to the opposite gamers who share his place? There’s a severe logjam now within the frontcourt that might show difficult to unravel. The 96 guard minutes ought to be break up largely between De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Fortress, and Dylan Harper, with Devin Vassell getting the remaining scraps. However what occurs with the small ahead and energy ahead minutes? Do Vassell and Julian Champagnie proceed to begin, or does considered one of them sit to make room for Harris, who has began for virtually his whole profession? And the way does the taking part in time get break up? There are 96 minutes to unfold round between Vassell, Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Harris. Somebody goes to have a smaller function than they’re used to, and will probably be as much as Mitch Johnson to determine how you can maintain everybody comfortable.
What an amazing downside to have. With a few roster spots left to fill, the Spurs seem to have too many viable regular-season rotation gamers already and have added a confirmed playoff performer who averaged 18 and seven for a second-round group final postseason. Whether or not he begins, which appears possible, or comes off the bench, Harris might be there when Mitch Johnson wants somebody who will, most of the time, present the manufacturing anticipated of him.
Usually, additions are judged by how significantly better a group is at its peak with them on the courtroom. With Harris, that framework doesn’t actually work as a result of the perfect model of the Spurs didn’t have a lot room to develop past the inner improvement of their younger superstars. What San Antonio wanted was somebody who was regular sufficient to assist them keep away from their worst model, and Harris looks like the right man for the job.
