San Antonio Spurs: Gauging the future role of Bryn Forbes

Third-year combo guard Bryn Forbes has taken strides for the San Antonio Spurs this season, but where does he fit in with the team’s long-term future?

After falling undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Michigan State alumni Bryn Forbes impressed Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs with an explosive work ethic, accurate three-point jumper and notable dedication to his craft. The culmination of Forbes’ work up to this point is a starting role with the team that gave him his first shot as a professional.

Forbes has appeared in every game that the Spurs have played this season, clocking in as a starter in all but one of those appearances. The 25-year-old is posting career-highs across all major statistical categories including each of his shooting splits.

Sparty is averaging 12 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field, 41 percent shooting from deep and 90.8 percent from the charity stripe.

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His commitment to improved free throw shooting is an example of how Forbes continues to polish his game with time and effort. In his sophomore campaign, Forbes shot only 66.7 percent from the free throw line after starting his career with a 83.3 percent mark in his rookie year.

As a fill-in for the injured Dejounte Murray, Forbes has performed admirably as a scorer and distributor. With that said, Forbes is one of the league’s weakest perimeter defenders on a team that struggles with containing guards.

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He’s ranked an abysmal 89th amongst shooting guards in DRPM at -1.89 as opposed to running mate Derrick White, who is second amongst point guards at 1.42.

Considering his defensive inefficiencies and unconventional style of play, Forbes will likely be relegated to the bench once White and Murray are as full strength.

Should San Antonio eventually make an attempt at trading veteran point guard Patty Mills to shed cap space, Forbes can take over as the lead guard off the bench for Coach Popovich. If not, he can easily slide in at the two-guard next to him with Lonnie Walker IV sliding down to the small forward.

Forbes has real potential to become the leader of the Spurs bench unit going forward. His shot creation continues to improve, both as a shooter and distributor. While there’s plenty of work left to be done in his development, Forbes has become a very capable player under Pop’s tutelage.

The front office will re-evaluate his future with the team as the summer approaches but it’s safe to say that Forbes has a spot in San Antonio’s bright future.