Julian Champagnie's starting spot with the Spurs isn't as safe as it once was

After signing a three-year extension this summer, San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie's starting spot might be at risk. In fact, the addition of Tobias Harris should have Champagnie looking over his shoulder.

He was brought in to provide San Antonio more depth at power forward and should do that and then some. Both players were key starters on 60-win teams last season, with Harris coming over from the Detroit Pistons.

As a result, San Antonio will have two great options to choose from in a potential training camp battle, but that's a problem for Champagnie. Harris might not be as good of a shooter as Champagnie, but he's a more well-rounded offensive player who has plenty of NBA experience.

Julian Champagnie's starting spot isn't safe due to Tobias Harris

Harris has been a polarizing player in some of his NBA stops, but he was actually very good with the Pistons. In fact, during their 14-game playoff run, he was second on the team in scoring, averaging 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.

Granted, Detroit's offense was a mess throughout that run, and Harris shot poorly from three. Still, he has enough in his bag to put points on the board. Unlike Champagnie, Harris has a mid-range game, can score in the post, and can even pass, with him having shown that he can throw lobs.

Victor Wembanyama should love him for that reason, and Spurs fans soon will too. San Antonio has done a much better job of putting players around Wembanyama who can both score and pass him the ball, and Harris can do both.

Julian Champagnie still has a strong case to start for the Spurs

Despite Harris being a more well-rounded scorer, Champagnie has a strong case to continue starting next season. San Antonio went an impressive 51-17 with him as a starter and 39-11 to close the regular season.

Not only that, but the starting lineup with him boasted an impressive 17.4 net rating. That's a ridiculous number for a starting lineup. Had he started from the beginning of last season, San Antonio would have won 68 games based on his win percentage as a starter.

It's easy to see why; he's a far better defender than Harrison Barnes, a great high-volume shooter, and a good rebounder. He also played especially well in the playoffs, averaging 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds and drilling 39.6% of his 6.7 3-point attempts per game.

Simply put, he has excelled as a starter, and so have the Spurs when he's been in the starting five. Harris is definitely more skilled, but Champagnie already has a proven track record with the team. Training camp and preseason will determine who starts, but it's anyone's guess who actually wins that battle.

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