“Go out there, play hard, and do whatever I can to help the team win,” said Spurs’ Jordan McLaughlin.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs‘ guard depth is impressive.
It boasts an All-Star with De’Aaron Fox, a Rookie of the Year with Stephon Castle, and a No. 2 overall draft pick in Dylan Harper.
And then there is veteran Jordan McLaughlin, who many pegged not to receive minutes considering San Antonio’s crowded backcourt.
But as the season started, coach Mitch Johnson turned to him early, which was no surprise to the Spurs guard.
“We had kind of talked about it when Dylan’s injury had happened, and then once we had found out Fox was out, we knew the opportunity would be there,” McLaughlin said.
The 7-year pro is proving to be a calming factor on the court.
In 8.0 minutes per game this season (along with 2.5 points and 43% field goal shooting), he is maximizing the time to steady the team and bring his experience to the young squad that is off to a 4-0 start since 2017.
“I’ve been in this league seven years now,” he said. “I kind of know how the game is played, what to expect, and so yeah, I guess you could say that’s kind of my role to go out there.”
McLaughlin was part of the 2025 Fox deal with the Kings and played admirably last season, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 assists in 6.9 minutes per game while shooting 45% from the field and 45% from three (9-of-20).
The Spurs re-signed him in the offseason to a one-year deal as a backup guard, securing his high basketball IQ and versatility on the roster.
“I mean that’s kind of my role on a lot of teams is to know the playbook offensively and defensively, get guys in the right spots, be a steady presence out there,” he said. “Just make sure we’re in the right position.”
That is reflected when he is checking into the game.
Despite the team off to a perfect start, when teams are clawing back and closing the gap, McLaughlin is there to settle things down for San Antonio.
In fact, this season he has yet to commit a single turnover, showcasing his decision-making and, more importantly, recognizing a part of his role is to make sure Victor Wembanyama is in his right spots.
“I’m pretty sure when Wemby is out there, the playbook is to give him the ball to win. It is just trying to put him in the right spots, right positions. Trying not to make him work as hard as he wants to or just making the game simple for him, but he’s a special talent and he’s going to do what he has to do,” he said.
In the recent win over Toronto (121-103), he recorded five points, two assists, and two steals in 10 minutes to help spark a second-quarter run. Perhaps his best game so far this young season, but he understands that he is getting playing time due to Fox’s absence.
And he is looking forward to having his teammate back in the rotation soon.
“It’s huge. We know we’re a deep team. We know we got guys one through 18 on this team who can come in and pack the game and help us win in any shape or form, whatever that is,” he said. “Getting him back, it just makes a lot of guys’ jobs easier for sure. And he’s a special challenge as well, and can’t wait to get him in the mix.”
With McLaughlin, he shores up the Spurs’ guard corps as a player who can do much in low-usage, and his veteran savvy will pay dividends as the season moves forward.
He also gives the Spurs another option, so they don’t have to rely on the rookie Harper or the other younger guards. In other words, he provides the team with someone ready at a moment’s notice and adds versatility at the position.
“I’ve been in every situation there has been, from not playing, not being in the rotation, to playing five minutes a night, to playing two minutes a night, to playing 15, 20 minutes,” he said. “I’ve started a couple of games, so I’ve seen it all. I know what to expect, and like I said, just to be ready whenever that opportunity is there.”
And his early-season steadiness is contributing to San Antonio’s undefeated record.
“My job is to just stay ready whenever my name is called upon, go out there, play hard, and do whatever I can to help the team win,” McLaughlin said.