San Antonio's longest-tenured Spurs shows how much has changed

The San Antonio Spurs' rapid rebuild has made them one of the best in the NBA, with their longest-tenured player showing just how quickly things have changed. Long-time San Antonio Spurs player Keldon Johnson has played through three distinct Spurs eras.

He was drafted during the tail end of the LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan era. He then became a key player during the rebuild years. Now, he is a crucial rotation player during the reign of Victor Wembanyama.

Johnson bridging not one but three distinct Spurs eras illustrates how fast this team has transformed. Just seven years ago, San Antonio was scratching and clawing to make the play-in tournament only to fall short. Now, they are among the NBA's elite.

The Spurs have changed dramatically in the Keldon Johnson era

It's not just that Johnson has been with the Spurs for seven seasons; it's that the Spurs have changed dramatically during his time with his team.

It's hard to believe that seven years ago both DeRozan and Aldridge were still on the Spurs. That feels like a decade ago, especially with Wembanyama entering his fourth season. It only goes to show that rebuilds can happen surprisingly quickly.

Sure, San Antonio had a franchise-long six-year playoff drought. However, that drought could have been even longer had San Antonio not lucked out and ended up with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Remember, the other two options in that draft class were Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson. Miller at least looks like a potential feature All-Star, while Henderson hasn't done much in his NBA career.

Keldon Johnson is proof that the Spurs' rebuild was a success

Johnson and, to a lesser extent, Devin Vassell, are relics from an old Spurs era. Remember, Johnson is the last remaining player San Antonio drafted in the twenties and has certainly proven to be a great pick.

It's one thing to get a rotation player in the late twenties; it's another to get someone who has reinvented himself several times and lasted seven seasons. Johnson may not be a perfect player but has proven to be surprisingly adaptable.

When he was initially drafted, the hope was that he could be a three and D forward. Despite that, his 3-point shooting proved too volatile, and his defense was not reliable enough for that role.

He later led the team in scoring only to come off the bench the next season. Now, after a couple of years refining his game, he is a Sixth Man of the Year winner and is entering his eighth season with the Spurs.

Johnson's development has perfectly mirrored the larger roster, with both having changed dramatically in a relatively short period of time.

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