After playing in two Summer League games, Carter Bryant will have the rest of the summer to prepare for the NBA season. Next year, the San Antonio Spurs are expected to ask him to play a bigger role.
The San Antonio Spurs only had one player with real NBA experience join their Summer League roster. Carter Bryant, last year's 14th overall pick, averaged 15.5 points and two rebounds across two games in Las Vegas and will be shut down for the rest of the summer.
He isn't hurt or anything, but the Spurs saw what they needed to see. In his rookie season, he was used sparingly as a defensive specialist. San Antonio knows that he can be a special player if given the right runway, and there is hope that the summer will open up his skill set.
In his two games, he was a playmaker and primary scorer for the summer Spurs. According to him, the skills he honed in Vegas will pay dividends next season.
Spurs to Use Bryant As Ball Handler
Between Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and De'Aaron Fox, the Spurs have no shortage of playmakers and point guards.
But, even before being drafted, Bryant was compared to Kawhi Leonard and other point-forwards who can thrive on both ends of the floor. Like a young Leonard, Bryant is very, very raw, so the Spurs put the ball in his hands when it didn't really matter.
"I think the biggest thing is it always shows you what you need to work on and how much you can expand your game," said Bryant of Summer League. "I think I showed what I'm capable of in the future. But just understand there's a lot of work I have to do to get to that point and be one of the best players in the world. This was all just a learning experience coming out to play. So I'm hoping to continue to do that."
Next season, there is hope that Bryant will play a bigger role, especially if the Spurs trade Keldon Johnson. In order for the team to trust him with more responsibility, they need to be certain that they can put the ball in his hands.
"I think my handle has to get a lot better," he summed up. "I think I'm seeing the game. I'm seeing the game super clearly. But I think my handle gets tighter and I've got to do a better job just pounding the ball. Just being tighter with my handle, like I said. But the reads, I don't really see any problems with the reads. I'm seeing the game develop fairly fast. But just understanding when my handle develops and how I'm going to stay doing that."
While Bryant won't play a single minute as the team's primary facilitator next season, knowing he can get to his spots off the dribble and create for his teammates will be a key to his success.
He already has the tools to thrive on defense. Adding the offense is the next step.
