Spurs have set the perfect example to help Keldon Johnson make another leap

San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson made the proverbial leap in 2025-26, discovering the consistency the team had been waiting to see and ultimately winning the Sixth Man of the Year award. He experienced his share of ups and downs in the playoffs, however, which may have played a part in San Antonio signing veteran Tobias Harris earlier this summer.

Though the two could compete for minutes in 2026-27, Harris is actually the perfect player to set an example for Johnson that he can follow all the way to a leap to an even higher level of play.

Though Johnson is entering his eighth NBA season, he's undergone significant changes to his role during that time. In 2025-26, he played just his second full season as a full-time reserve, and though he won a prestigious award, he was also limited to 23.3 minutes per game.

Johnson then played just 17.9 minutes per game during the playoffs, which created room for improvement in regard to his ability to fit the lineups San Antonio may be aspiring to roll out.

Some combination of Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper will be on the court during pivotal moments in the playoffs. Joining them will, of course, be Victor Wembanyama. Devin Vassell is a likely and deserving candidate, as well, if one of the aforementioned guards is sitting.

The question facing Johnson is one that Harris may very well have been signed to answer: Who can fill in at the 4?

Tobias Harris is the perfect player for Keldon Johnson to learn from

Harris, like Johnson, is something of a hybrid forward who can offer value in multiple phases of the game. He's a skilled scorer who can bury shots at all three levels, a quality rebounder, and a well-rounded defender who can match up against players with both his strength and his fluidity.

Having started all 81 playoff games that he's been a part of, the 15-year veteran is not only a strong individual player, but one who impacts winning favorably.

In many respects, Harris is exactly who the Spurs need Johnson to become something of a spitting image of. Assuming some combination of Castle, Fox, Harper, and Vassell are on the court, a void still exists at the 4-spot next to Wembanyama at the 5.

The Spurs struggled to fill that void at times in 2026, with OG Anunoby being an example of a player who routinely exploited the lack of a defender who has the size and athleticism to stop powerful forwards on the drive.

Harris may not be able to lock Anunoby down, but from a physical and skill-level perspective, he has the tools to contain hybrid forwards without sacrificing offense. If Johnson can reach that same tier, then the Spurs' small-ball evolution around the 7'4" Wembanyama will reach an entirely new level of growth and efficacy.

Thankfully, Harris and Johnson will have every opportunity to work together in practice and games alike, and potentially help the younger forward take the next step in his development.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow