Mitch Johnson must axe this player from Spurs' rotation to bury the Wolves

Lost in the San Antonio Spurs' gritty Game 3 win is the questionable play of a crucial rotation player. Backup center Luke Kornet just hasn't had the same impact he's had all season against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

I've been extremely high on Kornet, but surprisingly enough, this doesn't appear to be the series for him. With Wembanyama off the floor, San Antonio has played well all season, with Kornet making a major impact on both ends of the floor. 

Unfortunately, against the Timberwolves, they have been effective attacking Kornet. In Game 3, Minnesota was 7/10 in the paint against Kornet in just 11 minutes. Whenever he's in the game, they have been relentlessly attacking the paint, and he has been surprisingly bad defending the rim. 

Luke Kornet must be axed from the Spurs' rotation to bury Wolves 

With him doing more harm than good, San Antonio should consider shaking things up by going away from him and playing small ball. Coach Mitch Johnson has already flirted with the idea by playing Keldon Johnson at the four in bench lineups against Naz Reid or Julius Randle. 

Obviously, there is the concern of the offensive glass, with Minnesota being plus 20 in that category in Game 3. San Antonio's most common small-ball lineup consists of two of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and/or Harper, as well as Devin Vassell, Johnson, and Carter Bryant.

It might be light on rebounding but could force the Wolves to bench Rudy Gobert in the minutes. If San Antonio continues to play Wembanyama between 36 and 40 minutes a game, then they would only need to play small ball for 8-12 minutes. 

After Kornet managed just 2 points and 1 rebound and was -9 in 11 minutes, it's hard to imagine San Antonio doing worse playing five out.

Luke Kornet may not be cut out for this series

Hopefully, Kornet will bounce back if the Spurs advance to the Western Conference Finals, but he doesn't have it now. Aside from Game 2, he's been a liability. 

Many expected him to play a larger role, perhaps even in a French Vanilla pairing. Perhaps that may still happen if the Timberwolves are able to bounce back and make this a long series.

But, for the time being, Johnson should bench Kornet in favor of playing small in the hopes of winning the non-Wemby minutes.

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