Carter Bryant's path to playing time with Spurs may be backing up Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs want to give Carter Bryant minutes, and the easiest path may be to make him the backup center behind Victor Wembanyama. It is not the most conventional role for the 6’6 forward, but the front office added Tobias Harris this summer. With Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson already eating up forward minutes, head coach Mitch Johnson may need to get creative with Bryant. The Spurs could benefit from going small and playing five-out when Wemby is off the floor.

Bryant shot just 33.5 percent from 3-point range last season, but it jumped to 35.1 percent after the All-Star break. The rookie needed time adjusting to the NBA and should be an above-average shooter in short order. That is important if he is going to operate in a five-out look.

Bryant is listed as a power forward. At 220 pounds, he has the strength, athleticism, and skill set to transform into a small-ball center. He was all in on doing it last season. Luke Kornet struggled in the playoffs. The Spurs will benefit from going small in some matchups, and Bryant should be the answer at the five.

Carter Bryant should be the Spurs' small-ball five

Champagnie and Vassell are too small to play the five. Keldon and Harris just don’t have the skill set. They can be too focused on getting their numbers, which doesn’t work. The Spurs need their small-ball center to be operating like prime Draymond Green. The focus is defense and creating offensive opportunities for others. The only other option is Harrison Barnes, who is already declining and has never been able to consistently take on this role.

Bryant wants to play. He averaged just 11.5 minutes per over 71 contests last season. The 20-year-old has to embrace whatever role is thrown his way. San Antonio has their sights set on a championship. They have the top-end talent with Wemby, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and De’Aaron Fox. Everyone else needs to buy into their role and try to maximize the roster.

Mitch Johnson should have veterans like Harris and Keldon over Bryant in the pecking order. The youngster should quickly pass Barnes, but that might not be enough to crack the rotation. Bryant needs to make shots, rebound, and prove he is a better option in the second unit than Luke Kornet. The big man struggled in the playoffs, so the door could be open for Bryant.

Carter Bryant needs minutes to reach his ceiling

The Spurs drafted Bryant with the 14th overall pick in 2025. They clearly believe in him, but are trying to balance his development with chasing a championship. It is a similar scenario with Dylan Harper, and this will create a similarly uncomfortable decision.

Young talent needs time on the floor to continue their development. Vassell, Champagnie, and Harris averaged over 27 minutes per game last season. Keldon played over 23. If all those players get similar run, there is just no room for Bryant in the forward rotation. There are 18 minutes behind Wemby waiting for someone to snag.

Kornet is a fine backup big man. He protects the rim and rebounds well, but some matchups are a problem. The 31-year-old doesn’t have speed or athleticism to keep up. When teams go small and force him onto the perimeter, there are issues. The Thunder and Knicks dominated the minutes with Kornet on the floor in the final two rounds of the playoffs last season.

Bryant can develop his jumper, rebounding, and overall game in these exact scenarios. If the Spurs need to go small, let the 20-year-old run wild. This is their chance to get him playing time and let him operate as a stretch big man. If Mitch Johnson picks the right matchups, he will be the nominal five facing off against another power forward anyway.

The San Antonio Spurs should embrace using Carter Bryant as their small-ball five to ensure he gets minutes this season. It will allow him to expand his game and keep improving. The Spurs could solve their Luke Kornet problem and get the most out of a former lottery pick. Consider it a win-win for a title contender.

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