Luka Samanic and Keldon Johnson are balling up in Austin

Photo by Mike E. Roemer/NBAE via Getty Images

While the current Spurs struggle, the future Spurs are looking good.

As the San Antonio Spurs continue to try and turn this season around, their two first round picks from this year’s draft are up in Austin putting in some strong performances. On Saturday, Luka Samanic posted a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double in a 114-103 win over the Windy City Bulls.

Post-ups, no hesitation to pull up from three, driving to the rim, some nice defensive plays and ball movement — Samanic could very well be shaping up to be the Spurs’ power forward of the future. The muscle and bulk he is adding to create an NBA-ready frame is visible as well.

As for Keldon Johnson, he continues to arguably be Austin’s best player and had his best performance yet on Tuesday with a 32-point, 7-rebound outburst against the Wisconsin Herd.

Johnson was known for his defense and ability to finish around the rim coming out of the University of Kentucky, but his three-point stroke is the key improvement Gregg Popovich will be looking for from him. Even though he’s only hitting them at 28% rate so far in 14 G-League games, he’s showing no hesitance to shoot them when open, which is the best way to improve. There’s still some work to do in that area, but he’s coming along.

As the Youth Movement continues, the Spurs have plenty of sparkling new toys to play with, and one day it will be exciting to see them all playing together. Just thinking of future rotation possibilities has me dreaming of a bright future.

PG: Dejounte Murray / Derrick White

SG: Keldon Johnson

SF: Lonnie Walker IV

PF: Luka Samanic

C: Jakob Poeltl

Luka Samanic and Keldon Johnson are balling up in Austin
Luka Samanic and Keldon Johnson are balling up in Austin