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Certain as his native France is a front-runner among a dwindling World Cup field, Victor Wembanyama vaulted the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals last month behind durability and dependability.
Despite the prevailing notion that the Spurs can return to the Finals – and ideally win them – simply by employing their 7-foot-4 center, San Antonio has just as surely strengthened its bid through early free-agency savvy.
Signing veteran Tobias Harris to a two-year contract and adding Billy Donovan as coach Mitch Johnson’s lead assistant should go a long way toward fortifying San Antonio.
Harris recently agreed to terms with the Spurs after bringing grit and glue to another young franchise on the rise. The power forward averaged 13.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one steal in 136 regular-season games with the Detroit Pistons over the past two seasons.
More importantly, Harris elevated his game in the playoffs, providing consistency as Detroit’s second-leading scorer at 18.1 points a game this spring. While his rebounding average (7.2) was up from his regular-season output and his assists (1.5) were on par, Harris differentiated himself as a sure hand in crunch time.
Beginning with Game 3 of the Pistons’ first-round series against Orlando, Harris scored 20-plus points in eight straight playoff games.
Considering San Antonio’s much-publicized struggles down the stretch in the Finals, having another reliable option late in games will be a boon.
How many times was San Antonio left searching for someone as cold-blooded as Knicks point guard and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson to put things away in the final five minutes?
Harris can help lead his younger counterparts to that point through example and experience even among a group that exceeded expectations without him last season.
Donovan figures to provide tutelage all his own. Counting his time as Rick Pitino’s Kentucky assistant before 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach and 11 leading teams in the NBA, Donovan has been coaching for nearly as long as Johnson, 39, has been alive.
After stepping down as Chicago Bulls coach after six seasons to seemingly pursue another head job in the NBA or college, Donovan, 61, found the Spurs to be a fine fit. Johnson’s previous lead assistant, Sean Sweeney, departed to take over as Orlando head coach.
As some Spurs fans still stew over various late-game Finals decisions (see especially Harper, Dylan), there should be solace in knowing Donovan will be closest to Johnson’s ear.
Not only is Donovan a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, he arguably brings a unique tough love to the huddle if Johnson needs guidance in the clutch or elsewhere. In 2017, Johnson coached alongside Donovan’s son, Billy III, for the Austin Toros, the Spurs’ affiliate in the G League.
Advice from a friend’s dad sometimes just hits harder.
Of course, Donovan won’t simply be advising his boss. Wembanyama and the rest of the team are ripe for the teaching, and Wemby’s financial acumen could ensure the team’s young core is around for a long time.
On Friday, Wembanyama and the Spurs agreed to a five-year, $252 million rookie extension that reportedly could have been even larger.
However, Wembanyama chose to leave money on the table as Stephon Castle and Harper approach extension eligibility in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
“Vic never comes in and has an ego. He’s always worried about the team first and us getting wins,” Devin Vassell said last season of his towering teammate.
So is the Spurs’ front office, as landing Harris and Donovan suggest.
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