Harrison Barnes on managing Wembanyama, the new generation of Spurs

In a youth-focused team, even by youth standards, Harrison Barnes stands out. Starter in each of San Antonio Spurs 82 games into his first year with the franchise, Barnes has proven instrumental in helping continuation of Victor Vembanyama’s geniuswho is still only 21 years old, and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, who will turn 21 on November 1. The second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, 19-year-old Dylan Harper is now in the mix. We sat down with 33-year-old Barneswhose the name came up in the offseason chat when is The Spurs have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durantfor an exclusive interview ahead of a season that many believe could return the Spurs to the playoffs.

ClutchPoints: “Can you believe this is your #14 in the NBA for Harrison Barnes?

Harrison Barnes: “It’s wild. Yeah, definitely, I’m just grateful to be here. I’m grateful to continue to play the game that I love and to have this experience with this group.”

ClutchPoints: “How was your summer?”

Barnes: “The summer was great. I thought we did a lot as a group just in terms of building, practicing, training. We got a chance to spend time with my family, which is always nice, and I’m excited for this season.”

ClutchPoints: “Look at the moves the Spurs made this offseason. Adding some quality veterans like Luke Cornett and Kelly Olynyk, adding Dylan Harper; the young guys are a year older. I guess the expectations for this group are pretty high?”

Barnes: “I think the biggest thing for us is just how can we consistently show up every day? That was something we preached a lot last year. We learned a lot as a group, how to do that as a collective. And I think the same process applies this year.”

ClutchPoints: “I know you’ve had a big impact on these young guys and this young core, and I remember giggling last year when someone asked you if you considered yourself a part of this core. You say, ‘I hope so. I think so.’ Sometimes when you’re a little older than your mid-20s, people tend to dismiss that person as a sidekick. And I realize that’s the nature of the league today…”

Barnes: “Sure.”

ClutchPoints: Heck, there were times last year when people thought you were 40 years old like Chris Paul, just because you were the only other veteran in the rotation.

Barnes: (laughter)

ClutchPoints: “But with so much young talent here, what was it like to have that role for this group of guys?”

Barnes: “I think that’s huge, right? I mean, a lot of these guys, there’s so much potential, so much talent. They’ve got a lot more basketball in front of them than behind them. I think the biggest thing is, how do we focus on now, right? How can we take it all in and say, ‘Guys, let’s be great every day and focus on this season and this moment?’ It’s always easy to look ahead and try to wonder and hope, but we can have urgency and we have control now. So let’s keep our focus here and try to maximize it as much as we can.”

ClutchPoints: “You won a title with Golden State. Young core there. You got to Sacramento, helped them end a long playoff drought. I know it’s hard for players to compare because the teams are different, the individuals are different and the situations are different. Still, do you see similarities between this group and the young core that you won the title with and went to the Finals with that group in “Kingback”. who qualified for the postseason for the first time in nearly 20 years?”

Barnes: “Yeah, I think the biggest thing with this group that I see that makes us very unique is the level of talent that we have from our young players. You go into the locker room and they say, ‘Yo, how old are you? ‘I’m, you know, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,’ however I am, so much talent. Said before Let’s focus on now, let’s focus on what we can do today. tomorrow, in camp, in the preseason, getting ready for the first game of this regular season, and you don’t just say, ‘Okay, yeah, in three or four years you’re going to be X, I, and Z as a player,’ and just wait until that time comes. Like, no. We can be good as a group right now.”

ClutchPoints: So when you look at this team, Harrison, I know we talked about expectations. But, the playoffs, the postseason, things along those lines, especially for a franchise like this, that’s so much success in their history. Is that something you’re talking about? Is it mentioned in terms of goals for this year?

Barnes: I think we have a high internal standard and goals for ourselves, but I think in a nutshell, the only thing worth talking about is how we’re going to show up every day as a group. I think we have the talent, we have all the pieces, we have the honor. That part is established. But how will we show up every day? And I think as long as we keep that as our focus and our North Star, I think the other things will fall into place for us. I think about moments last season, I’m not saying there wasn’t an intention behind it, but I think our focus was shifted. And I think just ultimately showing our best every day, competing at a high level, trying to win at a high level, focusing on those details, I think that’s the biggest thing for us.

ClutchPoints: Harrison, we certainly appreciated the time. Thank you. Good luck this season.

Barnes: I appreciate you.