Spurs still have glaring need to address after Tobias Harris signing

The San Antonio Spurs wisely signed Tobias Harris to improve their depth and versatility, but they still have to find a backup center upgrade over Luke Kornet. The veteran big man was virtually played over the floor in the final two rounds of the playoffs as the Spurs were outscored by 60 points in his 114 minutes. San Antonio drafted two young big men, but this is a roster with championship dreams. They don’t want to rely on a rookie behind their superstar.

San Antonio has their other bases covered. De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper figure to take the majority of the guard minutes. Tobias Harris, Devin Vassell, and Julian Champagnie will battle for the starting forward spots with Keldon Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Harrison Barnes backing up. Victor Wembanyama is the starting center, but San Antonio will want to watch his minutes closely in the regular season. Getting another big man is a must for the Spurs.

Kornet is a serviceable regular-season answer. The Spurs were 3.2 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor during the regular season, but 17.8 worse in the playoffs. The goal is to win the championship in 2027, which should force San Antonio to look for another veteran that can give Wemby a breather in the games that matter most.

Spurs must find a backup center upgrade

Getting Harris on the mid-level exception was a stellar move by the Spurs. He is a versatile forward capable of balling out the offense and even playing as a small-ball five in a pinch. With the NBA going bigger, San Antonio doesn’t want Harris matching up against Nikola Jokic, Isaiah Hartenstein, or Rudy Gobert.

Harris should lighten Wemby’s offensive workload, but the Spurs still have to rest their superstar. Wembanyama wore down in the NBA Finals after having to play 38.6 minutes per contest over the final two rounds. San Antonio had nobody else. They couldn’t keep playing Kornet, and Keldon was the next biggest player coming off their bench.

The Spurs have two open roster spots, but will likely be offering the minimum. They could target a veteran who’s been around the block or a young player looking to prove himself. San Antonio could even make a trade for a big man. Fans know they have a ton of draft capital and could eagerly use it to fill this hole.

Victor Wembanyama has made big men extremely valuable again. The Lakers just paid a colossal price to sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler. Even acquiring a backup big man may be pricey. The Spurs have the draft capital and should make a move. It could be the difference between raising another banner or the season ending in disappointment.

The San Antonio Spurs must upgrade over Luke Kornet after signing Tobias Harris. It is the final missing piece in their deep rotation. Kornet played himself out of the playoffs, and the Spurs need someone to spell Wemby. The pressure is on to find that piece before training camp, so stay tuned.

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