Spurs' increased depth may offer an underrated benefit for Keldon Johnson

The Spurs' roster got noticeably deeper this summer, specifically in their frontcourt. They added some new wing and interior players, potentially changing Keldon Johnson's role drastically next season. Maybe that's for the better. With fewer shots, he can focus more on being a connective player for the team, which could make the game easier for him.

Last season, Keldon Johnson won the Sixth Man of the Year award, and deservedly so. He averaged 13.2 points on 51.9% shooting and 36.3% from three, along with 5.4 rebounds. It's hard to imagine San Antonio winning 62 games without his production off the bench.

But he learned very quickly that playoff basketball is a different monster than regular-season basketball, as his scoring numbers and efficiency dwindled. Maybe this was a sign that he's best optimized in a different sort of role for San Antonio, and we could get a glimpse of it in a few months.

Keldon Johnson is no stranger to a change in duties

Keldon Johnson's role elasticity is one of his defining traits. There was a time when he was one of San Antonio's lead shot creators, even reaching the 20-point-per-game mark in the 2022-23 season. But as they found some direction in their rebuild, his duties changed. He began to take fewer shots and ultimately accepted a bench role.

He's already demonstrated this unselfish approach to the game, which has always been valuable to the franchise. Now it's time for him to continue it next season. With the addition of Tobias Harris and the growth of Dylan Harper, he won't have the ball in his hands as much, so he'll need to find other ways to make an impact.

Keldon can do so by providing efficient off-ball scoring, cutting to the basket, or making catch-and-shoot looks. Taking on a smaller offensive load also means he can get even grittier on defense, using his physicality and athleticism to lock down opponents.

What a smaller role could actually look like for Keldon

San Antonio's front office did a flawless job fleshing out the roster this summer. They have depth at each position, so they shouldn't ever worry about going into a playoff series with a thin bench.

But that does come with some complications. With more players joining the team, others could see drastic changes in their duties or may fall out of the rotation. The latter may not be the case for Keldon Johnson, but he should prepare to take on a new role.

The 26-year-old forward might have to relinquish some of his shot attempts and opportunities to create for himself, but that doesn't mean he can't be effective. There are other ways for him to make an impact, and luckily, he's already shown he can do some of those things. Last season, Keldon did have some good moments as a cutter and catch-and-shoot threat.

Despite all the noise, there's still a world where KJ can be a vital piece for the Spurs next season. I'm sure all of us want to see him on the podium with this team, holding up the Larry O'Brien trophy in June.

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