San Antonio Creates the Perfect Destination for Arizona Wing

San Antonio Creates the Perfect Destination for Arizona Wing

Carter Bryant’s Fit In San Antonio

Bryant has immense potential and in joining a team that is still shaping who they are will only benefit his development. 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama began their rebuild, and 2024 No.4 pick Stephon Castle continued their drafting prowess. Their streak of impressive rookies will look to continue with Harper and Bryant. Specifically, Bryant’s skill set alongside Wembanyama should fit like a glove.

In the frontcourt, the Spurs have looked for defensive upside and shot-making ability over the years. Wembanyama is the blueprint for this and Bryant’s athleticism makes him a blueprint as well. During the NCAA tournament, he truly showed his all-around potential. Against Akron in the first round, his help defense, shot-blocking, and highly-energetic offensive activity was on full display. Bryant will need more development and built-in trust to become a main installment in the team’s future.

Certainly, he lacked substantial playing time with the Wildcats averaging only 19.3 minutes and 4.8 shot attempts per game. Likewise, he won’t have an increased volume early into his career either. However, his skill set and tools will eventually cause the Spurs to play him in critical minutes of game action.

In a post-draft interview during the first round, Bryant was asked about what he can bring to the Spurs and the key aspects of defense he takes away from some of the most versatile defenders in the league, further describing the Spurs as a perfect destination. Bryant focused his answer on versatility and physicality.

Learning to Complement History

The Spurs are building something special in San Antonio. As he develops into his body, Bryant will be asked to become a true complementary frontcourt mate for Wembanyama and a complement to the talented guard trio the Spurs have created with Harper, Castle, and recently acquired De’Aaron Fox.

Veteran forward Harrison Barnes knows a thing or two about learning to complement greatness and history as he was a starter on the 2015 and 2016  Golden State Warriors teams alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Drafted as frontcourt depth, Bryant will be able to learn from Barnes what it takes to take the pressure off the stars of the Spurs roster.

Relieving pressure from those stars will be an essential part of their puzzle. It was the way they built their dynasty around Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. It will continue to be as long as Greg Popovich’s coaching tree continues under new head coach Mitch Johnson.

Spurs Restoring Their Greatness

San Antonio is set up for the future and these past three NBA drafts have just been the beginning. Bryant can be the missing piece they need to round out their enriched core of youth. Their dynasty ran through the league from the late-1990s to the mid-2010s. With Wembanyama as their next superstar, restoration has seemingly come for the Spurs.