Spurs just solved their biggest flaw without making a single trade

Despite failing to make a move at the NBA trade deadline, the San Antonio Spurs may have already solved their biggest problem. Spurs fans were no doubt hoping for a trade for an upgrade at power forward.

Obviously, that didn't happen, but San Antonio still managed to improve that position without making a single deal. Before the trade deadline, Coach Mitch Johnson made a long-overdue move to start Julian Champagnie at the four instead of Harrison Barnes.

Barnes was in a months-long slump, with his struggles weighing down the starting five. Despite his reputation as a streaky player, Champagnie has been better on both ends of the floor this season.

In fact, he leads the team in plus/minus. While Spurs legend Sean Elliott hates that stat, it shows that good things happen when he's on the floor. It also bodes well for the Spurs, who are just 11-9 in their last 20 games and were in need of a shakeup.

The Spurs have already solved their power forward problem

Power forward is still the Spurs' weakest position, but they can cobble together 48 minutes of capable play. Champagnie starting and playing around 28 minutes is clearly their best option at the moment. Barnes will still play, perhaps around 20 minutes per game, but if either player is struggling, Johnson can go with Luke Kornet.

That doesn't match their depth at point guard. Fortunately, a trio of Champagnie, Barnes, and Kornet should be enough to hold down power forward without it being a major liability.

Ironically, Champagnie is shooting 37.2% from three-- the exact same percentage as Barnes, though Champagnie's advanced stats are better across the board. The best version of Barnes is a better fit for the Spurs' starting lineup, but he isn't shooting 43% from three anymore.

Him coming back down to earth was to be expected, but that big drop-off has forced San Antonio to evaluate their options. As a result, Champagnie is clearly their best option.

Champagnie gives the Spurs something Harrison Barnes doesn't

When he's on, he's molten lava, whose 3-point barrage can lift the offense. I mean, do I need to mention him hitting 11 threes against the New York Knicks?

Barnes is probably a more well-rounded offensive player considering his old-man drives to the basket.

However, they have been fewer and farther in between, and he hasn't had the same offensive pop this season. Champagnie won't be at every game, but he isn't Danny Green-level feast or famine either.

He is far more capable of putting the ball on the floor and has even been surprisingly good at drawing free throws for a high-volume 3-point shooter.

Defensively, Barnes may be better at guarding bulkier players, but Champagnie offers more versatility. He's better at guarding on the perimeter and offers the Silver and Black switchability.

That would help them keep pressure on the other team's best player. He is also a much better rebounder, doubling up Barnes' average number of boards while playing identical minutes.

It's hard to argue against him starting over Barnes, with him potentially boosting the Spurs on both ends. He might not be as exciting as San Antonio trading for a power forward, but his impact could be enough to solve their biggest problem.