Carter Bryant has a chance to follow the Spurs' greatest two-way blueprint

Carter Bryant has already shown some striking similarities to former Spurs All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard. Both players established themselves as intriguing defensive wings during the early stages of their careers. But Bryant must also take after Leonard's offensive growth to become one of the NBA's most complete two-way threats.

After the Spurs lost in the 2013 NBA Finals, Leonard evolved as a scorer, and that was a driving factor behind their winning the title the following year. He turned into a dangerous slasher and long-range shooter to accompany his staunch perimeter defense and was San Antonio's most valuable player in that series.

We could see a similar dynamic play out for Carter Bryant. Like the 2014 squad, this current Spurs group is hungry to win a title after losing in the Finals the prior season. A lot of things need to go right for that to happen, and of those, one of the most important is Bryant's offensive growth.

Bryant's shooting could unlock the Kawhi comparison

During the early stages of his career, Kawhi Leonard was a legitimate shooting threat. In his second season, he drained 37.4% of his threes in the regular season and 39% in the playoffs. But he wasn't as lethal from distance in his first Finals appearance, making 34% of his long-range looks on 3.3 attempts.

But he came prepared in the championship round the following year. Kawhi drained a blistering 57.9% of his threes in the 2014 NBA Finals, one of the best marks for a starting forward on that stage in recent decades. He played a huge part in the Spurs putting together one of the best offensive performances in Finals history.

Fast-forward to now; San Antonio needs Carter Bryant to follow in Leonard's footsteps. He'll undoubtedly play a larger role for his team next season, especially if they get to the championship round, and his three-point shooting could be a huge difference-maker.

He's already shown some promise in that area, making 41% of his long-distance looks in the 2026 playoffs. But he must be prepared to consistently make his shots at a higher volume next season for San Antonio to turn their title hopes into a reality.

Bryant has a chance to become much more than a 3&D wing

One of the best parts about Kawhi Leonard is that he proved himself to be more than just a dominant defender who can space the floor. He molded himself into something bigger, becoming one of the NBA's most lethal shot creators.

Could Bryant do that as well? Like Leonard, there's more to his game than being a 3&D option. He's also a dynamic athlete who can drive past defenders and explode at the rim. He could turn into a legitimate off-the-dribble threat in the near future.

The possibilities are endless. Bryant has the talent to leave an impact on this franchise as Kawhi did. But it all starts with his offensive evolution. He can't stop at being a dominant defender, though. So, for the Spurs to become the next dynasty, Bryant must turn into a complete two-way force.

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