Spurs have major roster battle brewing between two elite shooters

The San Antonio Spurs don't normally have training camp battles, but this year could be different. The addition of veteran power forward Tobias Harris will likely force a training camp battle between him and Julian Champagnie.

Champagnie began last season coming off the bench, but once he started, his shooting and defense helped unlock the Spurs' full potential. That resulted in them finishing the regular season with a blistering 30-5 record.

However, the Spurs were paper-thin at power forward all last season. In fact, they even had 6'4 Keldon Johnson play some there. Paper-thin, indeed.

Now, with the addition of Harris, they have a 6'8" power forward who has enough size to defend bigger fours while also providing offensive firepower.

Spurs have a roster battle brewing between Tobias Harris and Julian Champagnie

The Spurs can't go wrong with either player starting, but each has clear strengths. Harris is a more versatile offensive player, with him being one of the most accomplished 3-point shooters in the NBA. He's also a skilled mid-range shooter and can even score the low post.

Defensively, he isn't as good on the perimeter as Champagnie, but he is better at banging with bigger players such as Karl-Anthony Towns or Julius Randle. Champagnie may be the better three-point shooter, with him connecting on 41.4% of his 6.7 three-point attempts per game in the playoffs.

He has no mid-range game or post-up game to speak of, but he is capable of attacking closeouts and even getting to the free throw line despite being overwhelmingly a jump shooter. Defensively, he's not a lockdown defender, but he's versatile and can guard multiple positions.

Who should start at power forward for the Spurs

Personally, between the two choices, I would go with Champagnie. That might not be the prevailing choice amongst Spurs fans, but hear me out.

San Antonio was merely a great team when they were starting Harrison Barnes at power forward. It wasn't until Coach Mitch Johnson made the bold decision to start Champagnie over Barnes that things really took off.

I'd go as far as to say he fits the starting lineup like a glove. After all, Champagnie ranked among the league's best spot-up shooters last season, and he, along with Devin Vassell, helped solve San Antonio's spacing concerns.

Champagnie is also a big defensive upgrade over Barnes and better than Harris on that end. Plus, he's the Spurs' best non-center rebounder, which really comes in handy.

Tobias Harris would be the perfect bench option

Harris has the offensive chops to start, but I'd argue that he is best suited coming off the bench in a role similar to that of Spurs-era Rudy Gay. Someone who is a skilled offensive player but not good enough to be featured—at least as a starter.

However, having him in the second unit, with Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, and Luke Kornet, would give the Silver and Black more scoring punch. Better yet, it could help them win the non-Victor Wembanyama minutes.

Champagnie has plenty of experience coming off the bench, but his skill set may be better served starting. Thus, if there is a training camp battle, Champagnie could emerge as the starter once again.

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