Drafting Tarris Reed Jr. might have a sneaky upside for Luke Kornet

Spurs fans should be very excited about Tarris Reed Jr.'s rookie season. The former UConn star hasn't shied away from expressing his eagerness to suit up and contribute for his new team, but his presence does create some competition within San Antonio's bench unit. If he shines in his minutes, Kornet's prominence in the lineup could drastically change.

The Spurs' frontcourt depth was the talk of the offseason. While Kornet was a great backup center option in his first year with San Antonio, he struggled to deliver in the playoffs. When Wemby was off the court, opponents had no problem challenging him at the rim and limiting his impact on the boards.

It was clear that the Spurs needed to find a solution to this and fast. Several teams across the league stacked their frontcourts with more size, so adding Tarris Reed Jr. late in the first round seemed like a no-brainer. His joining the team obviously puts immense pressure on Luke Kornet, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The competition between Kornet and Reed can be huge plus

The battle for the backup center role is a good thing for San Antonio. For one, it's good that they at least have options. Last season, Kornet was the only player Mitch Johnson could turn to for interior support when Victor sat on the bench; now that's not a problem.

Competition pushes players to improve. Reed seems ready to make an immediate impact for San Antonio, so this should light a fire under Kornet to make a big leap from last postseason. Whether that's getting stronger as a rebounder or holding his ground more defensively, there are several ways he can be more reliable for San Antonio.

It's an interesting dynamic: a young, energetic rookie center competing for minutes against an established veteran with three NBA Finals appearances under his belt. Nonetheless, this is the perfect situation for the Spurs as the season approaches.

Reed could ultimately edge Kornet out by the time the playoffs come

While the competition is a huge plus for San Antonio, Tarris Reed Jr. could very well take Kornet's spot as the go-to backup center option if he brings more to the table on both ends.

Tarris is shorter than Luke, but he has a larger frame and knows how to use it. At 264 pounds, the young center can leverage his size to push opponents away and snatch offensive and defensive rebounds. With his ridiculous 7'4" wingspan, he can also discourage opponents from attacking the paint in his presence, which is where they had trouble in the playoffs when Wemby was out.

So Kornet has his work cut out for him. While experience is on his side, Reed possesses the physical tools to excel in the same areas he struggled in last postseason. It's a harsh, yet necessary reality for a team that invested in deepening its bench this summer, but one that could bring out the best in him.

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