This team may have big plans for the upcoming season, but they won’t be realized until everyone works hard and everything falls into place. Because of this, even though Julian Champagnie has recently been the overlooked and occasionally disregarded man in discussions about the Spurs’ future, he is the x-factor in this equation.
Jules was added by San Antonio for a reason. He is another classic three-and-D wing, and in the modern NBA, those are more crucial than ever. In his debut season in the league, he rained in deep shots at a rate of more than 40%, but throughout the last two seasons, his effectiveness has decreased.
With an average of 37% over the last two seasons with the Silver and Black, he still outperformed the league average, but you would think that a player who began his career blazing the nets would keep getting better rather than regress. It would be easier for San Antonio to succeed if he could regain his explosive shooting ability, which would make Keldon Johnson expendable.
Three backup wings are not necessary for San Antonio.
Suppose De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama are the Spurs’ starting lineup. Julian Champagnie, Carter Bryant, and Keldon Johnson would then be vying for playing time in that two-three spot, but when Castle and Harper are included, Not everyone will have enough time to establish a rhythm.
Someone will be the odd one out, and it makes sense that KJ would be the one. He is the only player on the squad that doesn’t seem to belong in any of San Antonio’s top lineups. He has never been a strong defender and isn’t effective enough from the outside to be the sniper that any of their most influential offensive units would require.
Since Champagnie has demonstrated his ability to return to his shooting form in the past and has at least maintained a good % to make the defense take notice, it is actually realistic to project that he will be able to do it again. You can defend starting him in any lineup Mitch Johnson would want to use in a particular circumstance if he can reach 40% or higher once more.
Although the recently added rookie chosen out of Arizona is a more dynamic defender than Jules, Jules is still far superior to Johnson. KJ is now earning too much money and slipping too far down the bench to be justified in his current position. Due to both Bryant and Champagnie, Keldon is probably going to be moved off first with such a movable contract.
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