Spurs just dared Carter Bryant to “prove it” with latest free agency moves

The San Antonio Spurs' roster for next season is all-but-set, but their new roster sends a clear message to 2025 lottery pick Carter Bryant. Bryant played a larger than expected role as a rookie and even had a small but consistent role in the NBA Playoffs.

That's all well and good, but the Spurs didn't exactly gift him a path to cracking the rotation next season. Extending Julian Champagnie, re-signing Harrison Barnes, and signing Tobias Harris means they will have plenty of options at power forward.

That possibly shoehorns Bryant into being a small forward, but the path to playing time isn't much easier there. Devin Vassell will start at the three while reigning Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson will back him up.

That means Bryant will have to beat out the team's longest-tenured player for minutes next season.

The Spurs are clearly challenging Carter Bryant to be great

On the surface, it seems crazy not to carve out a clearly defined role for Bryant given that he's already a capable three-and-d wing. However, perhaps that's for the best.

Bryant can be used as a Swiss-army knife, with him quick enough to play at the three and strong enough and big enough to play the four. Coach Mitch Johnson clearly sees greatness in Bryant, even when he was frankly playing terribly last season.

Bryant proved him right with him flipping a switch and suddenly becoming a great defensive player and reliable 3-point shooter almost overnight. If he responds like he did last season, I think it's a safe bet that he eats into Keldon Johnson's playing time.

Possibly even leapingfrogging him in the rotation all together.

Carter Bryant may replace Keldon Johnson in the Spurs' rotation

That should be the Spurs' hope with Johnson entering the final year of his contract and seemingly unlikely to be extended. Having Bryant replace him would be an upgrade, assuming he continues to develop as a perimeter defender and shooter.

Based on what he showed during the second half of last season, he's well ahead of schedule. His trajectory is encouraging, to say of the least.

The Silver and Black need another talented perimeter defender, and Bryant may soon become that player. In fact, if he responds well to the challenge, the Spurs' stingy defense could get even stingier.

Ultimately, the Spurs adding depth at power forward and having two experienced players at small forward leaves little playing time for Bryant. However, if he responds to the challenge set forth by the team, he could replace Johnson and become a key rotation player next season.

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