Pacers show Spurs exactly what they’re missing to reach the NBA finals

The Pacers are in an enviable spot for most of the league—the NBA finals. Obviously, they’ve had some luck getting there, as all teams do who play this late into the season—but they also have a weapon the Spurs need if they wish for the chance to play basketball into June.

The Spurs must address their three-point shooting

Spurs Nation theorizes that the team lacks shooting from long range. Public opinion isn’t always the best route to follow, but in this instance, it has some merit.

Of Spurs players who had a major impact this season, only Harrison Barnes shot over 40% (43.3%) from three. Malaki Branham shot 40.5% from long range but only averaged 9.1 minutes per game.

The Pacers, by comparison, have six rotation players who shoot 40% or higher from long range. That’s a stark difference between them and the Silver and Black. It’s one of the main reasons the Pacers are still playing, and the Spurs aren’t.

Luckily for fans of the Spurs, it’s the offseason, and that means the team can and will be improved next season. Three-point shooting needs to be a priority. That also means the team shouldn’t trade Harrison Barnes.

He’s an older player who provides veteran leadership and a reliable stroke from long range, which is an asset that NBA teams clearly covet. Barnes is under contract for one more season in San Antone, and it’d behoove Brian Wright and company to keep him in silver and black next year.

If they keep Barnes, there is an opportunity to address the shooting trouble through the draft. Probable second pick, Dylan Harper, the Rutgers University starlet, was not efficient from three this past season, shooting only 33.3% from long range in his lone season in the Big 10.

The draft is the great equalizer

The Spurs also have the 14th pick in the draft. With this pick, there may be an opportunity to address this need, as Harper is a can’t-miss prospect that will be selected second overall regardless of his inability to shoot the three effectively.

There are several options late in the lottery, and the Spurs would be pleased to get a player with the ability of Walter Clayton Jr out of the University of Florida, or a player like Liam McNeeley out of UConn. Both of whom are effective from long range.

If they don’t like options at 14, the Spurs could try to trade for shooting. With their cap space and public perception of being a piece or two away from contending, rumors have run rampant already this off-season about players the Spurs can acquire.

The likes of Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been linked to the Spurs. Those players are unbelievable, game-changing players, but only Durant is a player who would add to the Spurs from three. He shoots 43% from long range, while Giannis only shoots just above 22% from that area.

The Spurs would have to pay a king’s ransom for either player, and if it’s shooting they’re looking for, it’s likely this would be the only move to make, as it will take draft picks and player capital to make this move successful.

The theme for the Spurs brass this offseason is to add shooters to this team. It’s obvious from the teams remaining in the NBA Finals that three-point success as well as a deep bench are keys to playing well come playoff time. The Spurs will have to make the right moves to improve this team to get there next season.