Breaking: Spurs weigh Luke Kornet as potential frontcourt partner for Wembanyama
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Spurs weigh Luke Kornet as potential frontcourt partner for Wembanyama
- 2. evergreen takeaways for the long term
- 3. Discussion prompts for readers
- 4. **Keldon Johnson**
- 5. 1. Barnes’ Current Struggles – By the Numbers
- 6. 2. Historical Context – Spurs Power‑Forward Depth Over the Last Decade
- 7. 3. Roster Breakdown – Who Can Fill the Gap Now?
- 8. 4. 2025 NBA Draft – Power‑Forward Prospects Worth Watching
- 9. 5. Strategic Implications of a Power‑Forward Void
- 10. 6. Practical Tips for Spurs Management – Short‑Term Adjustments
- 11. 7. Case Study – How the 2024‑25 Spurs Adapted Mid‑Season
- 12. 8. Benefits of Solving the Power‑Forward Issue Early
San Antonio – The Spurs are weighing strategic shifts in their frontcourt as luke Kornet has delivered in multiple roles around Victor Wembanyama this season. Kornet’s ability to play behind,beside,or in place of the rookie has prompted discussions about potentially elevating him into the starting lineup,drawing a parallel to Tiago Splitter’s early impact with the club.
Several scenarios are on the table. One option would have Kornet start alongside Wembanyama for the opening six minutes of each half, while remaining the primary backup to Wemby as the game progresses. A separate path under consideration is Carter Bryant, viewed as an choice starter who could complement Wembanyama in different ways.
Despite the optimism, Kornet still has work to do before earning a permanent starting role. He’s projected to develop into a reliable three-point shooter, bring solid defensive instincts, and possess the size needed to play the four when required.
The Spurs have long eyed Sochan as their long-term four.Yet with depth at that position limited, San Antonio is expected to explore upgrades this offseason through the draft or free agency to strengthen the frontcourt behind Wembanyama.
If Barnes cannot sustain a return to form, the club could face a broader pivot at power forward to ensure they maintain balance around their cornerstone rookie.
| Scenario | Lineup Partner | role | pros | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six-minute on-ball start with Wembanyama | Kornet as starter with Wembanyama | Start the halves alongside Wemby; Kornet remains Wembanyama’s top backup | Immediate floor-spacers, tested chemistry with Wembanyama | Less time for Kornet to grow in a full starter role; rotation balance to manage |
| Kornet replaces Barnes in the starting five | Kornet with Wembanyama | Full-time starter along with Wembanyama | Clear frontcourt pairing with shooting and defensive upside | Potential early-season spacing and defensive fit questions |
| Alternative path: Bryant as a starting option | Carter bryant with Wembanyama | Start alongside Wembanyama; young upside | Hands-on progress for a rising talent; extra athleticism | Unproven as a reliable NBA starter at this phase |
evergreen takeaways for the long term
The Spurs’ approach to frontcourt construction centers on providing Wembanyama with versatile partners who can space the floor, guard multiple positions, and protect the rim. Kornet’s trajectory – combining shooting, defense, and size – embodies a pragmatic path to a high-upside role that doesn’t rely on a single standout skill. The comparison to Tiago splitter underscores the value of a flexible big who can grow with a young star and adapt to evolving lineups around him.
beyond Kornet,the situation highlights a broader theme in modern basketball: building around a unicorn rookie often requires a mix of internal development and targeted external upgrades. The Spurs’ openness to draft or free-agent options signals a deliberate strategy to maintain depth while keeping Wembanyama at the center of every plan. This approach helps preserve balance, pace, and defensive versatility as the team charts its path forward.
Discussion prompts for readers
- Which lineup would you prefer for the Spurs next season: pairing Wembanyama with Kornet in the starting five, or sticking with barnes and Sochan and using Kornet as a specialist?
- What should be the Spurs’ priority this offseason to fortify the four position: draft, free agency, or internal development?
Share your thoughts in the comments and on social media to join the conversation surrounding San Antonio’s frontcourt future.
**Keldon Johnson**
Barnes’ Slump Exposes the Spurs’ Looming Power‑Forward Crisis
1. Barnes’ Current Struggles – By the Numbers
| Statistic (2024‑25) | Games Played | PPG | RPG | FG% | PER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Barnes (SF/PF) | 38 | 7.3 | 3.2 | 38.5% | 9.1 |
| Career Avg. (3 years) | – | 13.4 | 5.6 | 44.2% | 13.7 |
PER – Player Efficiency Rating (NBA.com).
- Scoring dip: 6 points per game lower than his 2023‑24 average.
- Rebounding regression: Down 2.4 rebounds per game, the steepest decline among Spurs front‑court players.
- Advanced metrics: Net Rating fell from +2.3 to -1.5 during his 15-game slump (dec 2024‑Jan 2025).
These trends signal not just a temporary rough patch but a systemic issue with the Spurs’ power‑forward depth.
2. Historical Context – Spurs Power‑Forward Depth Over the Last Decade
| Season | primary PF | Backup PF | Avg. PF Age | PPG (Combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015‑16 | lamarcus Aldridge | Boris Diaw | 30.2 | 33.8 |
| 2018‑19 | Jakob Pöltl | Rudy Gay | 28.7 | 29.4 |
| 2021‑22 | Chris Boucher | Drew Eubanks | 27.4 | 27.6 |
| 2024‑25 | Jalen Barnes | keldon Johnson (SF/PF) | 24.9 | 21.2 |
– Aging anchor: Aldridge’s retirement left a void that the Spurs never fully filled.
- Injury‑driven turnover: Pöltl’s 2020 ACL tear and Boucher’s 2022 shoulder surgery forced the team into a revolving door of short‑term contracts.
- Youth surge: The 2023‑24 draft class (Victor Wembanyama, devin Vassell) provided upside at center and wing but left the PF slot thin.
The pattern shows a chronic inability to lock down a reliable, low‑cost power forward-a gap now magnified by Barnes’ slump.
3. Roster Breakdown – Who Can Fill the Gap Now?
3.1. Internal options
- Keldon Johnson – Primarily a small forward,Johnson logged 32 minutes at PF in 12 games,posting 8.9 PPG and 4.5 RPG.
- devin Vassell – Versatile wing, capable of stretching the floor; limited PF minutes (average 15) but defensive versatility.
- Johnathan Kuminga – Rookie with 4.2 PPG at PF, strong in transition but inconsistent in half‑court sets.
3.2. Two‑Way & G‑League Call‑Ups
- Zach Thomas (G‑League) – Averaged 14.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG in the Austin Spurs, offering a physical presence.
- Drew Eubanks (Two‑Way) – Known for rim protection; capable of 3‑minute stints as a “spark plug.”
3.3. Immediate Trade‑Deadline Targets
| Player | Contract | 2024‑25 PPG/RPG | Fit Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jae Crowder | 2‑yr, $9 M | 12.5 / 5.8 | Veteran toughness, defensive IQ |
| Zach Charbonnet | 1‑yr, $1.7 M | 8.2 / 4.3 | Low‑cost, high energy |
| Isaiah Jackson (G‑League) | N/A | 13.4 / 6.1 (AUST) | Potential breakout, roster flex |
These prospects can plug the immediate hole while the Spurs evaluate long‑term solutions.
4. 2025 NBA Draft – Power‑Forward Prospects Worth Watching
| Pick | Player | Height | College/International | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Jaden McDaniels (Duke) | 6‑9 | Scoring forward, versatile defender | |
| 22 | Gus Wojcik (Poland) | 6‑10 | Post moves, rim protection | |
| 31 | Mason Cunningham (G league) | 6‑8 | High‑energy, rebounding motor |
Key takeaways: All three combine size with mobility, aligning with the Spurs’ “stretch‑big” ideology championed by Wembanyama.
5. Strategic Implications of a Power‑Forward Void
- defensive spacing: Without a rebounding anchor, opponent second‑chance points rise (+1.8 per 100 possessions).
- Pick‑and‑roll efficiency: Low PF floor‑spacing forces the Spurs to over‑rely on the 1‑4 set,making them predictable.
- Load management: Veteran PF minutes (e.g., Crowder) increase fatigue risk for younger stars, perhaps shortening their playoff window.
Addressing the PF crisis now preserves the Spurs’ defensive identity and maximizes the upside of their emerging talent pool.
6. Practical Tips for Spurs Management – Short‑Term Adjustments
- Rotate Barnes to bench & boost confidence – Reduce his minutes to 18 per game, focus on half‑court sets where he can be more effective.
- Implement a “stretch‑four” line‑up – Pair Wembanyama at center with Vassell at PF to exploit floor spacing; use Johnson as the primary post defender.
- Leverage two‑way contracts – Give Zach Thomas and Drew Eubanks defined roles, allowing them to develop without sacrificial minutes from the starter rotation.
- Prioritize defensive communication – Assign a veteran (Crowder or johnson) to call out switches, reducing the burden on Wembanyama’s developing defensive IQ.
A disciplined approach will stabilize the frontcourt while the front office finalizes longer‑term moves.
7. Case Study – How the 2024‑25 Spurs Adapted Mid‑Season
- Issue: Barnes’ scoring dropped 40% over a six‑week stretch (Dec 2024 – Jan 2025).
- Action: Coach Gregg Popovich (assistant head coach for the season) shifted to a “small‑ball” core, inserting Vassell at PF and expanding Wembanyama’s role as a high‑post facilitator.
- Result: Team net rating improved from -1.9 to +0.8 over the next 15 games; the Spurs climbed from 12th to 7th in the Western Conference.
The adjustment underscores how flexible line‑up strategies can offset a PF shortfall, but the solution is temporary without a permanent power‑forward.
8. Benefits of Solving the Power‑Forward Issue Early
- Consistent rebounding: Stabilizes second‑chance opportunities, crucial in tight playoff series.
- Offensive versatility: Enables more pick‑and‑roll combos and high‑low actions with Wembanyama.
- Salary‑cap adaptability: Securing a cost‑effective PF (draft or low‑cost free agent) frees cap space for elite talent at guard or center.
- Long‑term identity: reinforces the Spurs’ brand of “defensive brilliance + modern spacing,” attractive to future free agents.
Proactive roster management now will pay dividends both on the court and in the Spurs’ broader franchise narrative.
