'Whatever Coach Pop Needs': Spurs PG Devonte' Graham Embracing New Team Role
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Rebuilding is never an easy task for an NBA squad, especially when the term tends to change meaning from a fresh start to "not playing well" for a few years.
The San Antonio Spurs had the success they wanted with Duncan. They never missed the playoffs with him on the roster and were in the Western Conference conversation almost every season, but after his departure, that was difficult to replicate.
Luckily for San Antonio fans, their team went to the playoffs three more times without Duncan, but after Kawhi Leonard left for the Raptors in 2019 and the LaMarcus Aldridge-DeMar DeRozan duo failed to make it to the postseason more than once, Aldridge retired, DeRozan left and the Spurs rebuild began.
Out of it, several young players made their way to San Antonio and have begun to carve out their own careers as the Spurs begin their turnaround, especially with the impending arrival of Victor Wembanyama.
Spurs point guard Devonte' Graham was one of those players, and after his fifth career season down, he's ready to continue growing under coach Gregg Popovich.
In a recent interview with Air Alamo, Graham was asked what kind of player he sees himself evolving into for the Spurs after playing just 20 games, and his response was simply put:
"Whatever Coach Pop needs me to be."
This season, that was a reliable offensive-boost anytime he was on the court, mixed with improving his game and helping lead younger players. Graham did all of that right away, coming in at February's trade deadline.
The point guard was dealt to San Antonio by the New Orleans Pelicans for Josh Richardson and four second-rounders, marking his third team in five seasons, but despite his constant movement, Graham embraced his new surroundings and scored a franchise-high 31 points in his season debut the next day.
"I was sitting there playing Call of Duty," Graham said. "It was about 1:45 [p.m.] on the trade deadline, and it ended at 2 [p.m.]. I got a call that I had been moved and that there was a flight at 6:45 that I needed to be on, so I threw two suitcases together, packed some hooping shoes and met the team that night."
Graham's electrifying performance during his debut was not outlandish, as he'd been known to be an explosive player since his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets, but he wasn't scoring 30 points every game like some of the league's top talents.
Fortunately for him, he didn't need to. He had already done more than enough.
"I don't think there was any hype," Graham told Air Alamo. "I was just happy to be able to be on the court and playing again. It was a tough situation and transition from the Pelicans, but that first game took a lot of pressure and stress off my back personally."
The 28-year-old finished the season averaging 7.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists, becoming one of the Spurs' most talented ball handlers. That, combined with his past league experience made him a reliable leader on and off the court, which is a role that he says differs from that of his other teams.
"I haven't had the same role one season in the NBA," Graham told Air Alamo. "Rookie year I was a DNP or G- League guy. [I would] play here and there, make sure I got Kemba [Walker] the ball, and make sure the lead increases when I come in or vice versa."
"In year two I started off as a backup," he continued. "That turned into a starting role, me being the main ball handler averaging 18 [points] and ... having a breakout season. In year three, [the Hornets] drafted LaMelo Ball and [my role went] back to coming off the bench."
Those first three seasons — all different from each other — told the story of Graham's NBA upbringing. He proved to be competent as a primary ball handler, which he was for the Spurs in his most efficient games, and a flexible teammate.
That changed in New Orleans, however, where Graham moved back to a starter on a struggling Pelicans team that haven't yet broken into the top of the West since Zion Williamson's arrival. He was moved back onto the bench in the middle of his second year, and then to the Spurs, where he's seemingly found the spot for his career revival.
"Year five was kind of a struggle until the trade," Graham told Air Alamo. "I was barely playing with the Pelicans, and being traded was a crazy experience, but I enjoyed the end of the season with the new young group of guys and coaching staff."
Finding his way to a team with a player development-heavy mindset was big for the guard, especially with the ample opportunities that come with it.
Wembanyama's entry next season will also mark a big storyline for the Spurs, as his development could take precedent over other younger players, but for an experienced vet in his sixth season, Graham is looking for an opportunity more than anything else.
And nobody can tell him different.
"I never get into what people say, [nor] people's opinions," Graham told Air Alamo. "I've been through so much in my career from high school to college, and now going into my sixth season as a pro. ... [I'm] listening to the people who I know are in my corner and want what's best for me, and [I'm] also believing in myself and my work. "
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