Mitch Johnson just opened his second full Spurs training camp this week, and while 29 other NBA coaches would kill for his problem, it’s quickly getting complex: he’s got three star-caliber guards and not enough minutes to go around. What was once seen as a “good problem” is now feeling a whole lot more like a high-stakes puzzle, especially with one of his young stars making his intentions clear.
Too Many Five-Star Chefs in the Backcourt Kitchen
Look, Johnson isn’t complaining, at least not publicly. He even called it “less a problem than a particularly enjoyable September puzzle.” He’s “very fortunate to have such a dynamic roster where you can really get creative in terms of the puzzle pieces.” And honestly, who wouldn’t be? You’ve got De’Aaron Fox, the 28-year-old established All-Star and the most experienced guy in the backcourt. Then there’s Stephon Castle, 21, who just had a breakout rookie season and is entering Year 3 as an ascending two-way force. Both of those guys are studs.
But the real twist in this delicious culinary theme is Dylan Harper. He’s only 20, a former No. 2 overall pick, and he just had a stellar rookie season coming off the bench, even popping off under the white-hot lights of the NBA Finals. Now, as a sophomore, he’s definitely headed for some kind of expanded role. Harper himself is feeling the vibe, saying, “You have to have depth, and I feel like we’re probably one of the deepest teams in NBA. So it only works to our advantage. … The problems we have are good problems.” Sounds great, right?
Starting Spot or Starting Headache?
Here’s where the “good problem” gets real. Dylan Harper has made no secret of his desire to crack the Spurs’ starting lineup, and sooner rather than later. Honestly, his play as a rookie made it clear he belongs there. But if he gets that starting spot in the near term, Johnson would have to shake up a starting group that absolutely dominated, producing the NBA’s top net rating after the All-Star break last season! You don’t just mess with that lightly.
Johnson himself knows his job isn’t just to solve the puzzle, but to make sure everyone buys into the solution. He’s talking tough, saying, “I’ll try to win, and I’ll be honest with everybody. That’s how we’ll operate moving forward, and we’ll expect everybody to be a good teammate on top of that, and operate the same way.” Castle, for his part, seems to be a team player, saying, “Whoever starts, whoever doesn’t start, if we all start together, I think we’ll be fine either way. We’re three high-level guards that are pretty unselfish, that can touch the paint whenever.” But for all that talk, the question of Harper’s role briefly got a little louder just before training camp. Johnson and the Spurs can only hope this “enjoyable September puzzle” doesn’t become a “full-blown headache by June.”
This isn’t just a September puzzle anymore, not with Harper making his intentions clear. Johnson has to find a way to balance star power with the chemistry that already made them elite after the All-Star break. The training camp ahead for the Spurs isn’t just about getting in shape; it’s about solving this high-stakes guard conundrum before it turns into a full-blown headache come June.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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