Spurs getting early look at what Tobias Harris can provide

Tobias Harris didn’t come to San Antonio to reinvent himself.

The Spurs mostly need the veteran forward to be what he has been for a long time: Dependable, versatile and capable of making life easier for the players around him. Early indications from training camp suggest that’s what they’re getting.

Harris joined San Antonio on a two-year, $31 million contract and gives the Spurs another proven veteran to put around Victor Wembanyama. At 34, Harris has seen just about everything an NBA season can offer, and San Antonio isn’t asking him to carry an offense.

That’s sort of the point. The Spurs have spent years assembling young talent. Harris provides something different. Namely, a player with more than 900 NBA games on his résumé who can score without dominating the ball, rebound and play multiple frontcourt positions.

San Antonio’s public scrimmage offered fans their first real look at how those pieces might fit.

For all the attention understandably devoted to Wembanyama, the Spurs’ ability to take another step may depend just as much on the adults they’ve placed around him. Harris certainly qualifies.