Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting out the small forward pecking order on the Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs played things safe this summer after striking gold in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, opting to make minor moves on the trade market rather than shelling out a boatload of money to big-name free agents. While this franchise is still in the early stages of a full-throttle rebuild, its front office must decide which players are worth holding onto and who should get the boot.

With training camp fast approaching, the Silver and Black will soon have to sort out their depth chart at each position. However, that chore could become particularly challenging once they look through all the talented small forwards under contract this season. Who should start? Who deserves backup duties? And who won't make it to opening night when the Dallas Mavericks come to town?

Start: Keldon Johnson

Keldon Johnson has done nothing but exceed expectations since the Spurs chose him with the 29th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, transforming himself from an unpolished prospect into the leading scorer for one of the most promising young teams in the league. For all his development, he has been a polarizing figure for the fanbase over the last couple of seasons.

The 23-year-old combo forward became the de facto face of the franchise for San Antonio after the front office traded Dejounte Murray last summer, and he averaged a career-high 22.0 points and 2.9 assists per game during the 2022-23 season. Despite increased touches for Johnson, his shooting efficiency fell across the board as opponents committed more resources to stopping him.

Though Keldon fought through slumps to make progress as a finisher and playmaker, he struggled to make an impact on the other end of the court. He struggled to stay in front of his man off the dribble, and habitual ball-watching, miscommunications, and late rotations made him a liability to the integrity of the team defense. The effort was there, but his discipline must improve.

Gregg Popovich has shown a lot of trust in Johnson, and he has earned the right to retain his spot in the starting lineup. The Spurs overburdened the slasher with too much offensive responsibility on a rebuilding ball club. However, the arrival of Victor Wembanyama presents a perfect chance for him to slide into a lesser role and shift the narrative around his empty-calorie production.

Bench: Reggie Bullock

San Antonio finished inside the bottom five in three-point percentage and had the worst defense in the association a season ago, but adding Reggie Bullock to the roster should help them make some strides in those departments. The 32-year-old journeyman has been a dependable role player for a handful of playoff teams throughout his career, and he should mesh well with this young core.

Bullock landed on the Spurs in a three-team trade with Dallas and Boston earlier this offseason, and he will likely come off the bench after spending the last six seasons as a full-time starter. Though his per-game numbers and shooting efficiency have slipped in recent years, the veteran might find more success spacing the floor and spearheading the defense for the second unit.

The 6-foot-6 forward has the footspeed, lateral mobility, and wingspan to defend multiple positions, and he covered All-Stars like Anthony Edwards, Trae Young, and Jayson Tatum on a nightly basis. His switchability makes him one of the most valuable pieces for the Silver and Black, and he could be the vocal leader that reinforces the importance of constant communication.

Brian Wright and the rest of the front office brass might not view Bullock as a long-term fixture of this organization. Regardless, his sharpshooting and rock-solid team defense should ensure he finds a spot in the regular rotation under Gregg Popovich. The legendary head coach holds effort and fundamentals in high esteem, and Reggie brings those traits to the table every time he suits up.

Cut: Cedi Osman

Cedi Osman has minted a respectable resume as a second-round success story over his first six seasons in the league, developing into a tried-and-true sixth man for a Cavaliers club that has climbed from bottom-dwelling status to Eastern Conference contention. No one would mistake him for an All-Star, but he has sufficient talent to round out the depth chart for most franchises.

The Spurs landed Osman and draft compensation for helping Cleveland facilitate a three-team trade with Miami, and he will contend with Reggie Bullock and Julian Champagnie for a spot in the everyday rotation. While his minutes and role dwindled under J.B. Bickerstaff last year, the 6-foot-7 forward can still provide precise three-point shooting and worthwhile secondary playmaking off the bench.

The 28-year-old has the skill to play on or off the ball, handling pick-and-roll duties, draining spot-up triples, and beating defenders with backdoor cuts. Osman has built a less-than-stellar reputation as a low-activity defender, and that could be the nail in the coffin that stops him from gaining traction with a coaching staff adamant about making massive improvements on that end this season.

Though San Antonio is one month from opening training camp, their front office braintrust should be thinking about potential personnel decisions. The team must trim its roster to 15 standard contracts before the season kicks off, and Osman might be the odd man out for a team loaded with wings. The odds of him making the final cut over high-upside rookies and incumbent veterans seem slim.