Spurs' new-look roster will test their faith in Carter Bryant

The San Antonio Spurs' new-look roster should make them a favorite to make the NBA finals next season, though it could come at the expense of Carter Bryant. Bryant played a larger-than-expected role in the playoffs and showed significant potential.

That led most Spurs fans to believe that he would have a clear path to minutes next season. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case. San Antonio signed veteran Tobias Harris to shore up their power forward rotation.

He'll do just that, though it likely means that Bryant won't play there much next season. Instead, he'll likely be slotted in behind Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson at small forward, forcing him to fight for minutes.

Spurs' new-look roster will test their faith in Carter Bryant

Playing behind the team's two longest-tenured players means that Bryant will have to beat one of them out to earn minutes next season. That seems like a tall task to ask for a second-year player.

Perhaps the reason the Spurs have buried Bryant in the depth chart is that they're seeing how he will respond. If that's the case, then they must really believe in him.

After all, he would have to outplay Vassell, who was terrific last season, and especially in the playoffs, as well as Johnson, who is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Between the two, Johnson is definitely more vulnerable to losing his role.

Carter Bryant must earn his spot in the Spurs' rotation

He is entering the final year of his contract and has yet to receive an extension after struggling in the playoffs. Still, Bryant will have to outplay him and won't have many opportunities to do so.

That means he'll have to be ready to play to earn his spot in the rotation. Given what he showed as a rookie, with more seasoning, it's entirely possible that he can carve out a major role, but he'll have to work his tail off to do so.

If he improves defensively by being more disciplined and fouling less, then that will help his case. As will him continuing to hit threes and actually finishing at the rim. Having a 20-year-old 3-and-D wing is incredibly rare and something the Spurs could absolutely use next season.

Assuming Bryant can emerge as that type of player, then his role with the Spurs will only grow. On the flip side, if he struggles to live up to that role, San Antonio may have to reevaluate what they have in Bryant.

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