Carter Bryant already making Spurs coaches rethink the depth chart

Carter Bryant may not be an official part of San Antonio’s rotation yet, but his Summer League performance may have already created a buzz among the coaching staff. The Spurs drafted him 14th overall with the expectation that he would take some time to develop, but his defensive intensity and effort level may have pushed the coaches to rethink how he could fit into meaningful minutes as early as his rookie season.

What made national headlines more than anything during Summer League for Bryant was his stellar defense against top overall pick and new Dallas Mavericks franchise player Cooper Flagg. Clips of him making life difficult for Flagg made rounds on social media, and got Spurs fans very excited for what's to come.

The kind of two-way hustle he displayed fits the Spurs’ developmental DNA. Bryant stands at 6 foot‑8 with length and defensive instincts. Even though his shooting was off during Summer League, he remains confident based on his college track record (37.1% from three-point range at University of Arizona) and fans should expect improvement with reps. The coaching staff clearly sees his early struggles as just that: early and fixable.

Bryant should be able to earn real minutes in his rookie year

San Antonio’s offseason has filled out the roster steadily. With Dylan Harper being selected second overall and Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox still anchoring the core, Bryant will likely not be expected to start. But he clearly could be one of the first faces off the bench, especially in lineups needing perimeter defense and versatility.

Finding minutes behind veterans like Devin Vassell won't be easy, but the Spurs’ rotation is still evolving. Even with several new faces in the locker room, there’s room for Bryant in the wing rotation if he continues to separate himself on the defensive end.

If Bryant continues to translate his Summer League energy into regular season intensity, the Spurs coaching staff may have no choice but to expand his role. On a young, rebuilding team, defensive glue guys can make or break a bench unit, and Bryant has already shown that he could be that. The Spurs aren’t looking to win a championship right away, but laying the foundation with reliable, high-effort defenders is exactly how they continue this rebuild successfully.

Expect Bryant to arrive in training camp with coaches already envisioning how he might fit. His offensive role may grow in time, but what’s clear now is that his defense is good enough to force a decision. Spurs fans should get excited about seeing him be a defensive playmaker in year one.