Keldon Johnson's struggles will put him in rough position once Tobias Harris returns

The San Antonio Spurs have been playing well as of late, but they've been far from perfect. That's especially true for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Keldon Johnson, whose struggles this season could lead to a diminished role once Tobias Harris becomes available.

Last season, Johnson was amazing off the bench for Mitch Johnson, averaging 13.2 points per game on an impressive 51.9% shooting from the floor and 36.3% from distance. But he couldn't bring the same level of production to the playoffs, and his issues on that stage have crept into this season. He's down to just 8.6 points, and his three-ball has dipped to an abysmal 20%.

If he can't figure things out and get back on track, the Spurs' coaching staff could make some tough decisions about his role when Harris joins the rotation.

This is a pivotal season for Keldon Johnson

This 2026-27 campaign is every bit a "prove-it" season for KJ. This past summer, the Spurs declined to extend his contract and sign him to a long-term deal. They also added Tobias Harris, an experienced veteran scorer who can help lead their second-unit offense, giving him some tough competition at that forward position.

This puts tons of pressure on Johnson to step up and showcase his value to this team, because if he doesn't, his once prominent role could drastically diminish. He already has a lot of ground to make up, as the start of the season hasn't been very kind to him.

Sure, he's put together a few solid games early on, but consistency hasn't been his strong suit. He followed up a strong 15-point Monday night performance against the Utah Jazz with a four-point outing at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. His three-point woes have further limited his offensive impact, as he's only made two in the Spurs' first eight contests.

Tobias Harris will be tough to compete against for minutes

Johnson and Harris will duke it out for minutes once the latter returns from his calf injury. This won't be an easy battle for KJ, as Harris excels in many of the areas where he falls short.

Decision-making has been a glaring weakness for Johnson, while Harris plays with a veteran-like patience and is great at keeping control of the basketball. KJ's scoring consistency is also an early problem for the Spurs, but Harris has proven his ability to generate efficient offense for years.

Johnson has his work cut out for him. Not only does he have to improve in his current role, but he also must be prepared to adjust once Harris returns. Luckily, his issues are fixable. Taking smart shots, controlling the basketball, and playing with patience will help him continue being a reliable asset in the Spurs' rotation. But he can't be slow to implement those changes; the clock is ticking.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow