Spurs' bolstered depth chart proves they learned from brutal Finals collapse

There are no two ways about the feeling of losing an NBA Finals. It hurts. It doesn't matter that the Spurs made it that far with a young team. They were there, and the trophy was within sight. Unfortunately, the youth caught up with them, and they ran out of answers. Brian Wright seems determined to avoid that outcome again.

The stars of the team may have underperformed in key moments, but that wasn't the only reason they lost that series. They lost the battles in the margins, so those margins have been addressed. Looking at the new and improved depth chart, it's clear the Spurs learned a valuable lesson from those shortcomings.

Spurs' guard position is loaded

Playmakers: De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Ja'Kobi Gillespie (two-way)

I know many in the fan base are down on Fox right now, but they'll get over that real quick once the games begin again. Swipa will get this summer what he didn't have last offseason: time to work. He was forced to recover from a hamstring pull quickly after rehabbing his hand from surgery. D. Fox will be back with a vengeance, reminding everyone exactly why Spurs Nation was excited by his arrival.

The younger half of Area 51 took a leap in year two, so there's no reason to think that won't happen again. Castle is the pit bull of the team. Defenses already can't stop him from getting in the lane, but once that three-ball starts falling more consistently, it's over. Not to mention, he's only going to get better at locking up offensive stars since he's already doing that.

Dylan Harper is the One like Neo in the Matrix. The talent level is so off the charts and obvious; I don't need to convince you of it. You already know. Everyone does. That's why so many clamor for the ex-Rutgers star to start. However, coming off the bench gives SA firepower that not many other teams can match in their second units.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie will provide some additional depth when they need it, and David Jones-Garcia is still a restricted free agent. I expect him to return on a standard contract, possibly taking Jordan McLaughlin's roster spot.

The Spurs' wings offer a perfect blend of skills

Wings: Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, Carter Bryant

Dev remains one of the Spurs' premier two-way players. The six-year vet can score on all three levels, making defenses pay for their overaggression or lax coverage. Both scenarios can prove deadly when Vassell is on fire. Just ask the Denver Nuggets after that November win with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle sidelined. He's always a threat when he's on the floor.

Champagnie may play the power forward position, but the label "wing" can fall into the shooting guard, small forward, or PF roles these days. He's not a traditional frontcourt player, but he brings value on the boards and defense anyway. Juju has turned himself into one of the most deadly microwave shooters in the league, too. If he gets hot, he'll bury teams himself with three after three.

Carter Bryant is on the come-up. He may have looked rusty in the first half of his recent summer league game, but we know what this kid brings. He's aggressive on both ends of the floor, and his athleticism is off the charts. He just needs reps and time to round into who he's meant to be, but the makings of one of the top 3&D wings in the league are there.

We know what we're going to get from Barnes on most nights. He won't make a fuss about shot attempts, but he will guide the young guys when they stray. With a roster this deep and full of youthful talent, that brings plenty of value. And Mr. 100% still has the latent ability to catch fire if you sleep on him.

San Antonio's frontcourt is deep and versatile

Frontcourt: Victor Wembanyama, Tobias Harris, Luke Kornet, Jayden Quaintance, Tarris Reed Jr.

Victor Wembanyama is the foundation of everything. He is the present and the future, and for good reason. The Alien is the most unique player in the league. After only a few seasons, he's widely considered to be a top-five player unequivocally. He was the absolute best player in the playoffs, and the fact that he's going to get a lot better is scary stuff.

Tobias Harris brings more versatility to the front line. I don't expect him to play any small-ball center, but he certainly could if called upon. It just shouldn't be necessary with the wealth of talent on this roster. Tobias will provide reliable scoring, and he's seen everything there is to see in his 13 years in the league. Plus, he's an underrated defender. His presence is a net plus for this team.

Luke Kornet and Tarris Reed Jr. will have to battle it out to see who backs up Wemby more, but both players will have that responsibility. Korrnet has the experience, and Reed has the strength and athleticism. Both players will star in their roles next season, giving the Spurs more paint presence than they've had in their frontcourt in a long time.

And last, but not least, Jayden Quaintance. We haven't forgotten about the 20th overall pick. He'll easily be one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA once he's healthy. For now, the Silver and Black will have to make do without him, but when he returns, there won't be a bigger team in the league.

Mitch Johnson didn't have enough bodies he trusted in the NBA Finals. That shortened rotation removed one of the strengths that empowered the Spurs all season. This year, experience and reinforcements will ensure that doesn't happen again. There's not an obvious weakness on this roster, and with the star power they have, next year might make the last look like practice.

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