The Spurs solved one problem only to create another for Mitch Johnson

The San Antonio Spurs had one major roster flaw heading into the off-season that was in desperate need of fixing. But by solving that issue they created another problem.

San Antonio had five centers on their roster last season but only played star Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet in the playoffs. The likes of Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee simply weren't good enough to play when it mattered most. Unsurprisingly, none of them are back.

Instead, San Antonio opted to use the NBA Draft to rebuild their center rotation by drafting Tarris Reed Jr. and Jayden Quaintance. It's an interesting strategy considering neither player has NBA experience.

However, coach Mitch Johnson will task them with filling in when Wembanyama or Kornet is injured or Wemby is in foul trouble.

The Spurs replaced experience with youth at center

San Antonio is clearly doubling down on their youth, which was criticized prior to their trip to the NBA Finals last season. In theory, it could work out well with Reed Jr. looking like he could be a capable third-string center next season.

Remember, he has four years of college experience and has more than 100 college games under his belt. That's all well and good, but the only reason he will be the third center next season is because of Quaintance's injury.

Quaintance is still recovering from knee surgery and may not be ready to play until January at the earliest. Even then, it's unclear if he will factor in at all next season.

Quaintance could potentially spend time in the NBA G League and face an uphill battle working his way up the depth chart. That puts more pressure on Reed Jr. to pan out.

Beyond next season, the Spurs may actually have a logjam at center. A healthy Quaintance could give Kornet a run for his money, and San Antonio is counting on it.

The Spurs may soon have a logjam at center

After all, in a couple of seasons they may have to move Kornet to duck the second apron. In that case, they could kick the can down the road with Quaintance and Reed Jr. still being on rookie contracts for two more years by that point.

Despite that, we could see a scenario after next season in which both Quaintance and Reed Jr. struggle to earn minutes playing behind Wembanyama and Kornet. Taking two centers in the first round of the draft when they already have two talented big men seems fine now but may not age all that well.

Perhaps they believe that Quaintance will become enough of a 3-point shooter to eventually play with Wembanyama. Or, play Wembanyama at power forward and have him serve as the floor spacer.

Both scenarios are possible, with Reed Jr. possibly remaining as a long-term backup. Even if only one of Quaintance and Reed Jr. pans out, the Spurs could solve their center issues next season and beyond.

However, if both players hit, then they could have a logjam at center, which is a good problem to have, especially after last season.

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