Jayden Quaintance is the key to unlocking the Spurs' perfect front court

Although San Antonio Spurs rookie center Jayden Quaintance isn't playing during NBA Summer League, it's clear they have big plans for him. Quaintance is seen as a lottery-level talent but fell to the Spurs, who selected him 20th in the NBA Draft last month.

That is still a bit of a gamble given that he already has an ACL injury and needs another procedure on his knee. Despite that, his potential was too much for the Silver and Black to pass on.

Quaintance is among the youngest players in this year's draft class, and a fully healthy version of him could be a game-changer for the Spurs.

While the Spurs wait for Quaintance to get healthy, fellow rookie Tarris Reed Jr. will likely serve as the team's third string center behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet. He should fill that role perfectly, but Quaintance is still the missing link in the frontcourt.

Jayden Quaintance is the perfect key to unlocking the Spurs' front court

When healthy, he is a disruptive defender, with terrific length and athleticism. In fact, he has often been compared to Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III, which is both exciting and terrifying.

Exciting in the sense that the Silver and Black could have not one but two offense-wrecking big men on the roster at the same time. On the flip side, it's terrifying given possible injury concerns.

The Spurs have rarely played double-big man lineups since Wembanyama's rookie season. Even so, that's largely due to them not having enough frontcourt depth.

Quaintance would give them that option, freeing Kornet to play alongside Wembanyama more. Or, perhaps having Quaintance play with Wemby.

Spacing might be a bit of a concern, but Wembanyama could play the four in that scenario. That double big pairing would make for a monstrous defensive unit that would swallow offenses whole.

As long as there is enough shooting around them, then that hypothetical frontcourt pairing will eventually become a reality.

A healthy Jayden Quaintance may be a game-changer for Spurs

Still, I don't expect Quaintance to start for the Spurs. Then again, his defensive potential and profile as a rim-running lob threat should make him a crucial part of the front court for years to come.

It's also worth mentioning that Kornet is already 31 years old. Centers tend to have a long shelf life. Especially ones that have never consistently started, but the Spurs perhaps envision Quaintance as Kornet's eventual replacement.

Even with Wembanyama taking a big pay cut, Kornet's roughly $10 million annual salary may eventually have to be moved to duck the second apron. In that scenario, San Antonio would still have Wembanyama and both Quaintance and Reed Jr. on the roster.

Thus, helping to keep their front court fully stocked. Hopefully Quaintance will see the floor at least some this season and rapidly emerge as a rotation player in his second year.

If and when that happens, his potential impact as a rim protector and mobile big man could transform the Spurs' front court for years to come.

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