Spurs can’t afford to keep repeating the same Keldon Johnson mistake

The NBA season is less than a week old, but the San Antonio Spurs should have already seen enough of Keldon Johnson. We all know that he is in his eighth season with the team and is in the final year of his contract. That gives him added incentive to play well; otherwise, he could be a trade candidate.

He entered the season slimmed down, but unfortunately, he's still the same player with the same flaws that struggled in the NBA playoffs. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he got exposed defensively, particularly his nasty habit of fouling when the other team is in the bonus.

Against the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, his lack of spacing was apparent. Despite shooting well from three last season and in the playoffs, teams don't care whether he shoots, and his slow release makes it easy for defenses to close out.

Try as he might, Johnson struggles against great teams and can be hit or miss against the others. Therefore, once Tobias Harris makes his Spurs debut, they should consider slashing Johnson's minutes.

Spurs can’t afford to keep repeating the same Keldon Johnson mistake

The Spurs' spacing has already been more cramped this season, and Johnson hasn't been able to bulldoze his way to the rim with a packed paint. In fairness to Johnson, he's brought the energy, grabbing offensive rebounds, and diving for loose balls, but that's not necessarily the player this team needs.

The Spurs need more shooting and size, and Johnson simply doesn't give them much of either. As a result, when Harris returns, he should eat up much of Johnson's minutes.

The change in the starting lineup has already hurt Johnson's role. San Antonio is now starting four guards, including Devin Vassell at power forward. That means that both Julian Champagnie and Harris will be coming off the bench, something that wasn't initially anticipated.

Keldon Johnson may be the odd man out of the Spurs location

San Antonio could technically play three forwards and a center with one of their three point guards, but that seems a bit unlikely. Playing Dylan Harper, De'Aaron Fox, or Stephon Castle with Johnson, Champagnie, Harris, and Luke Kornet wouldn't give the Spurs much spacing.

San Antonio can still use Johnson as an energy player, but he likely shouldn't be playing anywhere near 20 minutes per game this season. Him filling in for Harris or Champagnie when injured would help him provide value, though his play thus far this season has proven that he hasn't actually gotten better over the summer.

With Harris not having a return date, Johnson will still have opportunities to show he's worthy of minutes. That said, his play over the team's first three games hasn't been enough to change minds.

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