Victor Wembanyama may be in the running for MVP, but he's not the only San Antonio Spur who could finish the season with some hardware.
In the San Antonio Spurs' most recent 134-119 win over the Indiana Pacers, the team was led by two bench players. Dylan Harper made his first start of his career, but he is known throughout the league as one of the best sixth men in the NBA. Keldon Johnson, meanwhile, remained on the bench and continued to build his Sixth Man of the Year case.
Both players finished with an efficient 24 points, leading the team.
A lot has been said about Johnson's willingness to step into a smaller role this season and focus on what he's best at, instead of trying to do everything. Once seen as a franchise centerpiece, he became a trade rumor fixture before settling into a smaller role.
While his "franchise center piece" label has since been shed, the folks who share the locker room with him think he's just as important as stars like De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Victor Wembanyama.
Spurs Build Keldon Johnson Award Case
Presently, Johnson has the second-best odds to win MVP, behind only Jaime Jaquez Jr.
He is averaging an impressive 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds this season, all while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor (second-best of his career) and a solid 37.8 percent from 3-point range. He has also played in every single game.
Of course, anyone familiar with the Spurs knows that Johnson is a lot more important than just his stat line.
"We are a team with an MVP candidate, multiple All-Stars, multiple All-Defensive NBA candidates," outlined Mitch Johnson. "We have nine guys averaging in the double figures, and every single one of our players has said [Johnson is] the heart and soul of our team."
For his on-court production, leadership, and contribution to a winning effort, the head coach thinks that the longest-tenured Spurs player deserves some hardware.
"I would find it very hard-pressed to find a better candidate for Sixth Man of the Year." Mitch declared. "Every single one of [his teammates] has said he's the heart and soul of the team, and the success that we've had, I believe that is more than worthy of the Sixth Man of the Year."
Only Manu Ginobili has won the award before playing for the Silver and Black, so Johnson would be in some rare company if he could take home the John Havlicek Trophy.