Carter Bryant could force the Spurs into an uncomfortable decision

The spotlight is on Carter Bryant to make a monumental leap after a promising rookie campaign. If he grows into the 3&D option the Spurs' coaching staff needs him to be, it could lower Julian Champagnie's minutes next season and possibly move him out of the starting lineup.

This is not to suggest that Champagnie is not valuable to San Antonio. He's a lethal catch-and-shoot threat, draining 38% of his threes in the regular season and 39.6% in the playoffs. The 25-year-old forward was so reliable for his team in big games with his elite floor spacing and knack for hitting big shots in nail-biting moments.

But as a lengthy, athletic wing with great defensive chops and shooting upside, Bryant can make an impact on the Spurs' two-way attack that'll be hard to ignore. If he grows into the player he was drafted to be, Mitch Johnson would have no choice but to shake up rotations.

Champagnie's shooting may not be enough to keep his starting job

The problem with Julian Champagnie isn't that he struggles to play his role; his three-point shooting is amongst the best in the league. But what could cost him some minutes and possibly his starting spot is Carter Bryant's all-around play. He has the potential to be a solid floor spacer while being an elite slasher and defensive stopper.

While Julian is very serviceable on the scoring end, a small amount of his offense came inside the three-point line. Additionally, his defensive upside is not nearly as high as Bryant's. That difference in versatility can lead to a ton of changes in San Antonio's lineup.

Think about Tobias Harris as well. The Spurs signed him to a two-year, $30.8M deal, and his combination of scoring, size, and experience will be impossible for the coaching staff to look past. Like Champagnie, he can play off the ball, but he is much better at creating his own offense off the dribble.

That isn't to suggest he won't be a part of San Antonio's rotation; they'll need his elite three-point shooting. But if he can't offer the same all-around impact as Bryant or Harris, his role with the team could look much different than last season.

Bryant could turn the Spurs' depth into a luxury problem

The constant conversations about San Antonio's lineups and rotations next season aren't necessarily a bad thing. More than anything else, they prove just how deep this team is. This isn't some group with a shortage of talent. They have a wealth of options to turn to if something isn't working.

Let's assume Carter Bryant does take Julian Champagnie's spot in the starting lineup at some point this season. Sure, it'll be an adjustment, but how many teams can say they have the luxury of bringing a three-point shooter of his caliber off the bench to run with the second unit?

All of this shows how good a job San Antonio's front office did building this roster over the years. At this point, the most important thing is collective buy-in. If each player stays committed to their role, either old or new, there isn't much standing in their way of holding the Larry O'Brien trophy in 2027.

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