Spurs quietly make their feelings about Harrison Barnes crystal clear
As the San Antonio Spurs’ sequence towards the Minnesota Timberwolves goes all the way down to the wire, followers are little question noticing a regarding Harrison Barnes pattern.
Barnes has performed sparingly in each of the Spurs’ playoff sequence so far. While he has performed moderately nicely in restricted minutes, it is clear that his position with the staff is trending in the wrong direction.
San Antonio made the choice to bench Barnes in favor of Julian Champagnie again in January, they usually have been red-hot after changing him. To Barnes’ credit score, he performed nicely after being moved to the bench.
However, his minutes have steadily decreased, notably within the playoffs, with rookie Carter Bryant additionally enjoying an element.
Spurs quietly make their feelings about Harrison Barnes crystal clear
Just the truth that Bryant is taking minutes away from a 14-year veteran must be the writing on the wall for Barnes. Odds are that that is his remaining season in San Antonio.
For a staff that appeared to be in determined want of playoff expertise, the Spurs have been way more reliant on youth than veterans. Fellow veteran Luke Kornet has additionally seen his minutes drop considerably, going from averaging 21 minutes within the common season to 17.3 within the playoffs.
However, that was at all times going to be the case. His position is to supply a dependable backup choice to Victor Wembanyama to maintain Wemby wholesome for the playoffs.
With Wembanyama enjoying extra minutes, there may be much less want for Kornet. The identical may be stated for Barnes.
Harrison Barnes’ Spurs profession might quickly finish
With Champagnie changing him within the beginning 5 and Bryant consuming into his minutes, Barnes’ position is ever reducing forward of the offseason. Odds are that he will not return subsequent season.
That’s much less to do along with his play and extra to do with what the Spurs have. Champagnie is simply higher on each ends of the ground at this level and is an efficient rebounder in addition.
That makes him the best stretch 4 for this staff. If that wasn’t sufficient, Bryant tasks to be higher than Champagnie in only a quick time frame.
Champagnie is nice defensively, whereas Bryant tasks to be nice. He has additionally proven that he can shoot, probably making him a candidate to begin subsequent season.
With these two, and the Spurs probably drafting an influence ahead in subsequent month’s draft, bringing Barnes again simply would not make a lot sense. As a consequence, we’re seeing him slowly be phased out of the playoff rotation.
