Keldon Johnson is becoming the Spurs' odd man out after rotation shakeup

Long-time San Antonio Spurs veteran forward Keldon Johnson didn't have a strong preseason. Combined with a starting lineup change, that doesn't bode well for him this season. In fact, he could be in his final year with the Spurs after not receiving a contract extension over the summer.

The Spurs could still bring him back on a short-term deal, but that's provided he plays well this season. Judging from opening night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he still has many of the same problems. He made several hustle plays and was effective on the glass but fouled with reckless abandon, which is a big no-no against a team like OKC.

Hopefully, he'll bounce back, though with a starting lineup shakeup, the second unit is suddenly crowded with forwards. Julian Champagnie and Tobias Harris are both now coming off the bench.

That could further eat into Johnson's minutes, with the Spurs having a second unit that now has three forwards and very little ball-handling. The Spurs will no doubt stagger the minutes for their guard trio so that one or two of them play with the bench. Even so, it's hard to see Johnson averaging the same minutes or having the same award-winning play this season.

Keldon Johnson is Spurs' odd man out after a rotation shakeup

If anyone can maximize a smaller role, it's Johnson, whose high-energy game lends itself to playing fewer minutes. On the other hand, if he doesn't play particularly well, then he could find himself out of the rotation and either be traded this season or not brought back next summer.

That's a lot of pressure on Johnson, but he seems more than malleable and can fill whatever role the Spurs ask him to play, no matter how small. With San Antonio having more depth at forward, they simply need him to continue attacking the basket with reckless abandon, crash the offensive glass, and hit the occasional three.

He can still do that, but perhaps only in spot minutes rather than in a consistent role this season.

Keldon Johnson must again adapt to an ever-changing role

The Silver and Black still need Johnson, just less than before. San Antonio has done a great job of adding more size at power forward, which means no more 6'4" Johnson playing at the four.

That's a great thing for the team, but it means that he'll almost exclusively play at the three. That's something he hasn't done in years and makes his fit a bit more of a question mark.

He shot much better from three last season and has continued to slim down, possibly helping him play more on the wing. Yet a lot will depend on how the second unit looks with Johnson, Harris, Champagnie, and Luke Kornet. That second unit may not work, and Johnson may be the odd man out as a result.

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