Carter Bryant is struggling to secure a consistent role within the San Antonio Spurs’ rotation during his sophomore NBA campaign.
The 20-year-old forward has averaged 10.5 minutes across nine appearances to start the 2026-27 season, a decrease from the 11.5 minutes per game he recorded during his rookie year, according to Basket USA.
Bryant’s early-season statistics have mirrored his debut year, characterized by limited playing time and occasional absences from the rotation. The 14th pick of the 2025 Draft recently faced a “DNP” (did not play) against the Dallas Mavericks, followed by a brief three-minute appearance against the Sacramento Kings.
His most recent standout performance came against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played 17 minutes, recording 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting and 4 rebounds, though he also committed 5 personal fouls. He followed this with an 8-point performance in 14 minutes against the Phoenix Suns.
Head coach Mitch Johnson noted that the team’s depth presents a challenge for distributing minutes. “Il n’y a pas assez de minutes pour tout le monde,” Johnson said. The coach explained that the more experienced Harrison Barnes currently holds an advantage in the rotation, especially while the team manages the absence of Tobias Harris.
Despite the fluctuating playing time, Johnson has praised Bryant’s attitude and his ability to remain prepared. “Je suis vraiment content qu’il ait été prêt à jouer et qu’il ait apporté de l’énergie, de l’engagement physique et de l’agressivité,” the coach stated.
Johnson emphasized that having a player who can adapt to inconsistent minutes is a “luxe” for the coaching staff over the course of a long season.
While the coach maintained that Bryant remains an “élément essentiel” who will play a “rôle majeur” in the team’s future, he provided no specific guarantees regarding an immediate increase in court time, citing the difficult balancing act of managing deep roster options.
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