The San Antonio Spurs are quietly putting together a masterclass in roster construction, and the final pieces of the puzzle might just unlock something terrifying for the rest of the NBA. While the franchise’s core trajectory is tied directly to the meteoric rise of generational superstar Victor Wembanyama, savvy offseason additions are continuing to arrive to elevate the Frenchman’s game to unprecedented heights.
Among the most quietly impactful moves is the arrival of veteran forward Tobias Harris. While casual observers view Harris as a reliable, floor-spacing forward capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers and punishing mismatches in the post, analytics and sharp-eyed analysts are uncovering a hidden dimension to his game that could directly supercharge Wembanyama’s budding MVP campaign.
The Underrated Playmaking Trick That Changes Everything
As San Antonio Spurs analyst Paul Garcia recently highlighted, a telling trend emerged from Harris’s stint with the Detroit Pistons last season: a significant portion of his total assists went directly to center Jalen Duren.
At first glance, it sounds like a routine statistical footnote. However, looking closer at the tape reveals that Harris has quietly developed a brilliant, highly effective knack for throwing pinpoint lobs—specifically out of drive-and-kick scenarios or when attacking aggressive closeouts.
If Harris could consistently feed an athletic center like Duren for easy finishes above the rim, imagine what he can do when operating alongside a 7-foot-4 unicorn like Wembanyama.
During his rookie campaign, Wembanyama occasionally starved for consistent service, with point guard Tre Jones serving as virtually the only reliable conduit to get him the ball in high-value scoring areas. Over time, that supporting cast has grown exponentially. With dynamic playmakers like Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Devin Vassell now handling the rock, adding Harris to that growing arsenal introduces a completely new tier of offensive versatility.
Unlocking the Full Code of Wemby’s Offense
Despite external clamoring for Wembanyama to plant himself firmly in the paint as a traditional back-to-the-basket center, the young superstar is most lethal when operating outward. Modern defensive schemes struggle to contain him when he is taking high-efficiency catch-and-shoot threes, attacking scrambling closeouts off the bounce, or operating as a devastating, hyper-mobile roll man in pick-and-roll sets.
Keeping defenses honest is the ultimate chess match. Because Wembanyama already ranks among the elite catch-and-shoot big men in the NBA, his gravity alone forces opposing centers miles away from the rim. If defenders close out too slowly, Wembanyama simply puts the ball on the deck and attacks the paint.
When he dives to the rim, he routinely commands two or even three panicked defenders, naturally opening up passing lanes to the perimeter. This is where Harris’s unique skill set shines. Unlike previous complementary forwards in San Antonio like Harrison Barnes or Julian Champagnie, Harris possesses the ability to put the ball on the floor, attack shifting defensive rotations, and deliver precise lob passes on the move.
Last season, Wembanyama’s scoring average surged to an elite 25 points per game, heavily fueled by him hauling in 89 lobs alongside a barrage of pinpoint feeds right at the rim.
Why an MVP Leap Is Within Reach
By sliding Tobias Harris into the frontcourt rotation, the Spurs are adding a veteran chess piece who understands spacing, executes quick-decision passing, and knows how to punish teams overcommitting to defensive rotations.
Wembanyama doesn’t need to reinvent his game to claim the league’s ultimate individual honor; he just needs a supporting cast that maximizes his terrifying blend of size, speed, and court vision. With Harris orchestrating secondary plays and feeding him easy buckets above the rim, the Spurs are building a seamless offensive ecosystem.
If these early projections hold true, opposing defenses won’t just have to pick their poison—they’ll have to watch Wembanyama soar straight into the MVP conversation.
