Spurs' latest home-run signing may unleash rosters' full potential

Despite a slow August in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs just made an under-the-radar move that could make an impact. The Spurs quietly added two-time all-star Rashard Lewis to their coaching staff as a player development coach.

While his playing career is far behind him, he was a former second-round pick who, during his peak, was a terrific offensive player who sort of broke the mold.

Their weren't many 6-10 wings back in the early 2000s--even now but he further set himself apart a high-volume shooter with an almost unblockable release. In fact, he went toe-to-toe with the Spurs several times in the playoffs, including during the 2005 playoffs.

As a member of the Seattle Supersonics with him and Ray Allen, he gave the Spurs fits. They beat the Spurs multiple times during the regular season and pushed San Antonio to six games in the West semi-finals en route to their third championship.

He was also on the Miami Heat teams that squared up against the Spurs in the 2013 and 2014 NBA Finals. Now, after his long career, he'll hopefully be able to exude some wisdom and show the teams' young guns how to thrive in the NBA.

Rashard Lewis headlines a revamped San Antonio Spurs bench

In addition to Lewis, the Spurs also added three other coaches this summer. Sean Sweeney, in particular, is another intriguing addition. He was the Dallas Mavericks' defensive coordinator and before that with the Milwaukee Bucks.

He had mixed success in Dallas on that end, but that was largely personnel-related, but the Bucks had a top 10 defense with him on the sidelines scheming. He will have far more defensive talent in San Antonio than he did in each of his two previous stops with Victor Wembanyama, who led the NBA in blocks and blocks per game last season despite missing 38 games.

He'll also have Jeremy Sochan and Luke Kornet, both of whom are advanced stats darlings defensively, plus plenty of length. If he can juice the Spurs' defense, then it would go a long way toward them making the playoffs.

All of the Spurs' coaching moves were likely meant to give Mitch Johnson more experienced voices on the staff. Lewis might not have much coaching experience, but he can provide valuable insight to many of the teams' younger players. With any luck, Lewis will have an impact on the development of Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, Stephon Castle, and even Wembanyama.