The Spurs just found their Kawhi Leonard replacement after years-long search

Former San Antonio Spurs celebrity Kawhi Leonard is not fondly remembered after demanding a commerce again in 2019. Happily for the Spurs, they’ve efficiently rebuilt their roster since then, together with drafting celebrity Victor Wembanyama.

Nevertheless, they’ve been lacking a real Leonard alternative. Not anymore. San Antonio drafted Carter Bryant 14th total on this yr’s draft, and he has already displayed tantalizing potential.

Regardless of Leonard having not performed for the Spurs since 2019, they’ve been sorely missing an enormous, athletic small ahead who can each shoot and defend reliably. Bryant has an opportunity to be that participant kind, even when he does not mission to be the identical stage of participant that Leonard developed into.

Carter Bryant is the Spurs’ true Kawhi Leonard alternative

Since buying and selling Leonard, the Spurs have cycled by small forwards, together with DeMar DeRozan for 3 seasons, Keldon Johnson, and most just lately, Devin Vassell on the three. He’ll possible proceed on in that function subsequent season whereas Bryant additional develops.

Nonetheless, Bryant clearly differs from these gamers. DeRozan was strictly an offensive participant who wanted to be hidden on protection. Johnson’s capturing struggles and defensive struggles finally pushed him to the bench.

In the meantime, Vassell’s offensive inconsistency and regression on protection have put a query mark round his function with the Spurs. Bryant is an explosive athlete, posting a stellar 39.5-inch max vertical leap on the NBA Draft Mix to associate with his 6’8″ body and seven ft wingspan.

That makes them each taller and extra athletic than Leonard was when he was drafted again in 2011. And whereas Leonard was the higher faculty participant, Bryant is a superior shooter at related factors of their careers.

What is going to Carter Bryant’s long-term function be on the Spurs?

Assuming he is ready to play with the identical defensive depth he displayed within the NBA Summer season League and at Arizona, that can get him on the courtroom sooner. Proper now, he’s possible behind Vassell and Johnson within the depth chart, however maybe not for lengthy for the aforementioned causes.

The apparent hope is that he can begin at small ahead and harass opposing wings whereas being a knockdown shooter on offense. He will not be tasked with doing as a lot as Leonard did throughout his first few seasons with the Spurs.

However Bryant having the ability to rating off cuts, in transition, and assault closeouts all appear practical. Particularly if taking part in alongside De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, who will draw loads of consideration away from him.

Thriving in a low-usage offensive function and being an influence defender is precisely what Leonard did to assist the Spurs dominate within the early to mid-2010s. If Bryant can fill that function on this incarnation of the Spurs, then they might rapidly reenter title rivalry.