Prioritizing development over star power, San Antonio opts for a complementary veteran to ensure cornerstone Dylan Harper thrives without the ball-dominant shadow of a legendary superstar.
I know. The headline sounds crazy.
In no way am I saying that Tobias Harris is better in any aspect of basketball than LeBron James is — but that doesn't mean he isn't a better fit for what the San Antonio Spurs are trying to do.
There was some buzz linking James to San Antonio once he decided against returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for Year 24, but after the Spurs inked Harris to a two-year, $31 million deal, that dream appears to be dead.
And that's OK.
While signing James would certainly provide the championship experience San Antonio was missing in its five-game NBA Finals defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks, the on-court fit may have been a bit ... clunky.
James has always been a ball-dominant player. He's one of the greatest facilitators in the history of the sport and owns the fourth-most assists (12,016) ever.
Had he joined the Spurs, it'd be hard to envision his role changing, as it's been virtually the same since he entered the league in 2003.
The problem with placing James in San Antonio is Dylan Harper.
Following the most impressive rookie performance in the NBA Finals since Magic Johnson in 1980, it's evident that the Spurs and head coach Mitch Johnson have to do everything possible to ensure Harper is the lead guard.
Not only are Harper's touches limited as is due to the presence of De'Aaron Fox on the roster, but they'd be further diminished upon James' arrival. Fresh off a Finals appearance, stunting the growth of a potential superstar guard isn't the best idea.
And that's just from Harper's standpoint. I didn't even mention the unintentionally negative impact James could've had on Victor Wembanyama or Stephon Castle. But the logic that applied to Harper would carry over to Wembanyama and Castle.
Which is why Harris is a better fit. He won't get in the way but can still make an impact.
Harris, 33, doesn't have the experience James has ... few do ... but still owns 81 playoff games to his name.
He'll play a defined role under Johnson, providing the veteran leadership and floor spacing San Antonio needs without taking valuable opportunities away from the young core it's working so hard to develop.
For where the Spurs are today, fit matters more than star power — regardless of how well "The King" would've looked in silver and black.
