Day 2 Grades: Spurs Trade for Cedi Osman, Bring Back Mamu

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-spurs-sandro-mamukelashvili-cedi-osman/

[tbdog]

Don't we really need a point guard?

[GAustex]

“… only by a million dollars or two”

[duncan2150]

Don't we really need a point guard?

we need quality over quantity but we already have 3 PG's with graham, wesley and jones. Unless Graham is gone i don't see the spurs bringing a pg.

Overall, i'm not disappointed but not sold either on the moove for osman (and all our fa) who's average. The good is that we don't spend money in some good-average players ala Houston.

[cjw]

Osman is a decent role player that doubles as a very tradable contract if not in the long-term future.

It’s clear from the moves that this isn’t the year the Spurs are pushing any chips towards the center of the board, and it’s a developmental year. Over time, this may mean looking to move some of DMcD, Collins, Graham, Osman. Having high single digit million guys under contract like Osman is really helpful when it comes to salary matching in trades - less so for Spurs, but to help other teams aggregate trades.

It’s prudent to see what they have in Wemby and how the others fit around him before significantly altering the roster.

Yes I would have preferred a PG upgrade, but I’d nothing great was sitting there why force it?

[Dejounte]

Tbh if Wesley really was in the gym day and night working on his finishing, we could see a much improved player that’s better than anything free agency or trading could have netted us.

[Obstructed_View]

Tbh if Wesley really was in the gym day and night working on his finishing, we could see a much improved player that’s better than anything free agency or trading could have netted us.

True, and I love Wesley, but I have never loved the idea of shoehorning him into the point guard position. Clearly Pop thinks differently so I hope BW comes in and proves me wrong.

Frankly, Branham showed some real ability to run point which surprised me. One of several ways he surprised me.

Tre and Jeremy are currently the only guys who could bring the ball up full time. Graham is going to be the small version of McDermott playing with Wemby. He won't run offense but he will be a volume three point shooter. Pairing him with Malaki in the backcourt could end up very productive when instant offense is needed.

[Dejounte]

True, and I love Wesley, but I have never loved the idea of shoehorning him into the point guard position. Clearly Pop thinks differently so I hope BW comes in and proves me wrong.

Frankly, Branham showed some real ability to run point which surprised me. One of several ways he surprised me.

Tre and Jeremy are currently the only guys who could bring the ball up full time. Graham is going to be the small version of McDermott playing with Wemby. He won't run offense but he will be a volume three point shooter. Pairing him with Malaki in the backcourt could end up very productive when instant offense is needed.

I forgot about Branham. But yes, those are two very good guard prospects (notice I didn’t say point guard) who could work for us at the 1 position long term if they’ve improved. A guard at the 1 who has an explosive first step? Yes, please. A guard at the 1 who can shoot from practically anywhere on the court? Yes, please.

[CGD]

“We like what we’ve got.”

In all seriousness should be a fund squad next year. Can’t wait to see them when they come to my area

[couchman]

It still feels like we could use Plumlee as a backup banger if he’s willing to take a 1 or 2 year deal

[DPG21920]

Agree on Mamu grade. I’d be B- on trade though I agree with the over arching sentiment there too

[CGD]

It still feels like we could use Plumlee as a backup banger if he’s willing to take a 1 or 2 year deal

I like it

[spurraider21]

I was marginally surprised Mamu didn’t get a QO. glad he’s back on a low risk deal like this. He showed something in his time here last year. Could set wemby up with a lot of easy looks.

the trade was very uninspiring. At least until i see the team do something meaningful with SRPs other than trading them more for more SRPs

[DPG21920]

I love how hard Mamu plays. It stands out. When you have skill but maybe lack electric athleticism you can make up for it with effort and he does.

We have lots of guys that just play hard. Its why Sa will win more games than many think (assuming Wemby makes an impact and Vassell/Keldon/Sochan/Collins stay healthy.

[Mr. Body]

Cleveland move suggests a mandate to only take on one year-long salary might be real.

Cedi Osman is Carlos Delfino. Change my mind.

Really, taking on players on contract years is never a bad thing. Osman did something last year no one on our roster did: he started and contributed to a playoff team.

Stevens seems unlikely to stick, but he's hard-nosed and tough. Always can use players who give it their all. A value of the team right now is the culture of the young players. Pop even said it: they played hard and didn't get down after all the losing. That spirit continues to be valueable.

Mamukelashvili -- strange the contract vs. Champagnie. Although I get it, he could wind up playing more out of need than Julian does.

[John B]

I like that they were able to sign Mamu back. He’s another facilitator/secondary passer that Pop likes in his team, a big body who can rim run. BUT he really needs to work on finishing strong in the rim. It was risky not to give him the QO. What did they really benefit from that, 10% discount?? I don’t know if nickel diming a guy was wise if they liked him, or do they? Mamu didn’t get any interest out there as UFA? So 1 year contract could mean the Spurs are not that high on him and giving him a year to prove himself (vs Champagnie who sold them on a 4 yrs deal). Also that Spurs were willing to risk Mamu get scooped by another team, but netted no interest. Well I hope Mamu works on whatever FATFO needs him to prove on. I like his character. He seems like a good locker room guy.

Osman is a low risk replacement for KBD. Not sexy signing but it gets thevwork done. He’s professional and a LeBron favorite because he’s a sponge who works hard on both sides of the court, another glue guy with Foreign descent. Lamar Stevens could be this years Romeo Langford (or hopefully not). He has a chance to thrive with a change of setting. Both are expiring.

All are one year or expiring. They will make their big move next season. PATFO is letting Wemby get his feet wet, roll with our guys last year and see where and what type of players would greatly compliment Wemby’s game. And agree with Dejounte, if Blake has been working day and night in the gym all Summer, Spurs fan could be in for a surprise. The kid is uber competitive (remember the audition incident with Malaki). I bet Blake (and also Malaki) hard work in the off-season were the reasons the PATFO didn’t push too hard acquiring a starting PG. I can’t wait for the Summer league.

[CGD]

Also, wow, just saw Jock got a huge pay day! Good for him. Spurs getting all sort of people paid.

[John B]

Also, wow, just saw Jock got a huge pay day! Good for him. Spurs getting all sort of people paid.

Both Jock and Jak (and KBD). Spurs are a farm for developing players.

[Obstructed_View]

I hated to see Landale go, and I thought he was criminally underutilized while here, but that contract is ridiculous.

[John B]

I hated to see Landale go, and I thought he was criminally underutilized while here, but that contract is ridiculous.

For 3 FRP’s (2 unprotected) and 2026 swap, I could live with it :lol

[Obstructed_View]

For 3 FRP’s (2 unprotected) and 2026 swap, I could live with it :lol
That took me way longer to figure out than it should have. I need some coffee. :lol

[John B]

That took me way longer to figure out than it should have. I need some coffee. :lol

Yup I hated that Londale was a necessary casualty on that DJM trade. I wonder if they could’ve done it differently. But I’m glad Jock is now getting paid. He really really wanted to get to the NBA. Played with KD last year, and now getting paid handsomely, with a beautiful wife. The kid is living a dream.

[RC_Drunkford]

Tbh if Wesley really was in the gym day and night working on his finishing, we could see a much improved player that’s better than anything free agency or trading could have netted us.

that's the thing, if we bring in a PG Wesley wouldn't get consistent minutes

[Obstructed_View]

BTW, I just read that Osman is Turkish. That means his first name is pronounced Jehdee.

[Ariel]

BTW, I just read that Osman is Turkish. That means his first name is pronounced Jehdee.
https://i.ibb.co/1n2gQRf/jedi.jpg

[Em-City]

BTW, I just read that Osman is Turkish. That means his first name is pronounced Jehdee.

That's correct

[rjv]

Tbh if Wesley really was in the gym day and night working on his finishing, we could see a much improved player that’s better than anything free agency or trading could have netted us.

and, ergo, part of the reason why i'm acting as if the summer league is tantamount to watching the NBA playoffs. hell, i'll probably order wings for the wemby games. but i am definitely hoping that we see some improvement from blake and brenham in these games.

[wildbill2u]

Maybe they drove such a hard bargain with Mamu because they could and the roster is pretty full on the front line right now. Champagnie, however, is a guard who came in and shot the lights out for the last few games. He may have more of the necessary skills that Pop is looking for and tehy wanted to tie him in for a longer contract.

[Extra Stout]

Tbh if Wesley really was in the gym day and night working on his finishing, we could see a much improved player that’s better than anything free agency or trading could have netted us.
Welp.

[Ocotillo]

Interesting that Spurs social media showing guys working out have had a number of photos of Cedi. Probably nothing but do you think he may end up sticking around rather than being shipped out? I also read there will be an HEB commercial featuring Manu and Mamu.

[CGD]

Interesting that Spurs social media showing guys working out have had a number of photos of Cedi. Probably nothing but do you think he may end up sticking around rather than being shipped out? I also read there will be an HEB commercial featuring Manu and Mamu.

Think there is a path for Cedi to stay. Sounds like they are giving everyone a chance to fight for a spot during camp. Berch seems like a no brainer dump, so functionally it comes down to one more cut. I think they like Bullock and Graham, at least until Feb, so it's probably comes down to Cedi and Bassey.

The other move is a 2 for 1 trade before the start of the season for another, bigger, salary using Graham.

[CGD]

^ Bassey + Cedi for Valanciunas works btw. NOLA, who is thought to be looking to shed salary since theyre slated to pay the tax, would shed a good chunk of salary.

[TD 21]

^ No chance Bassey gets cut. He's on a team friendly contract and is in line for a rotation spot.

The Osman picture likely seals Bullock's fate, but I'd have guessed as much to begin with.

[spurraider21]

bassey's spot is pretty safe tbh. contract is too favorable, and collins is on an expiring deal

im pretty convinced its between cedi and bullock. bullock is a better 3&D-ish player than osman, though his defensive impact hasnt really been consistently there (hence why we were able to get him the way he did). his 3pt shooting is fine for a 3&d type but not good enough just to be a shooting specialist (career 3pt% of 38.4). Osman isn't as good a shooter but does more "spurs-y" things as he can put the ball on the floor, and is a decent passer. more of a connector type than bullock.

basically if your plan is just to stick one of them in the corner, bullock is better. but with mcdermott still around, and champagnie emerging as a potential shooting specialist, think osman's skill set is more appealing.

still think the spurs will try to sell whichever one they keep at the deadline, and they'll have to weigh who they think is more likely to fetch a SRP at the deadline. on a competing team, "good bullock" is a more seamless fit, so they might gamble that he showcases well in his contract year

[Mr. Body]

Cedi feels like a guy they picked up because they actually liked him. The team is short on swingmen of that semi-old school variety. Right now it's just Dougie, Champagnie, and Osman. I don't think any of them are guaranteed time and I'm not sure what the pecking order would be, but I'd expect JC and Osman to get more than a shot as a sniper at range.

[CGD]

^ No chance Bassey gets cut. He's on a team friendly contract and is in line for a rotation spot.

The Osman picture likely seals Bullock's fate, but I'd have guessed as much to begin with.

“No chance” is strong. He’s on a good contract, but that cuts both ways. They’d only have to eat $2.5M which is less than any other player.

[rankingtear]

Cedi fits the offense and can play backup 4. I think he makes more sense than other players even as a placeholder.

[Cabrito]

Bassey and Mamu got cut last year by their teams and picked up by the Spurs. Those two along with Graham are the ones most likely to choose from for the final cut. Cedi and Bullock likely have a bit of value during the trade deadline. Nobody wants to trade for Bassey or Mamu.

[spurraider21]

Bassey and Mamu got cut last year by their teams and picked up by the Spurs. Those two along with Graham are the ones most likely to choose from for the final cut. Cedi and Bullock likely have a bit of value during the trade deadline. Nobody wants to trade for Bassey or Mamu.
Mavs and Cavs didn’t just cut these guys, they gave up assets to get rid of them. They were even less desirable than mami and Bassey were

[TD 21]

“No chance” is strong. He’s on a good contract, but that cuts both ways. They’d only have to eat $2.5M which is less than any other player.

Fine, I'll amend it to placing virtually before it.

They don't have the C depth to withstand cutting him and even though Mamukelashvili is a virtual lock to make the team too, not sure why you'd think he's more likely to be retained when he's signed for one season compared to three for the former.

[Mr. Body]

Bassey and Mamu got cut last year by their teams and picked up by the Spurs. Those two along with Graham are the ones most likely to choose from for the final cut. Cedi and Bullock likely have a bit of value during the trade deadline. Nobody wants to trade for Bassey or Mamu.

Yeah, just a wrong read all around.

Bassey and Mamu are young players who still have room to grow. Will they grow? Maybe, maybe not. But they have a potential future on the team. Bullock has absolutely zilcho future on this team. Cedi sort of does for now.

People who keep wanting to cut Bassey and Mamu - I just don't get it. Besides, they're pretty much our only backup bigs.

[Chinook]

I don't think Bassey is likely to be cut, but there are multiple paths to it. Mamu could be him out, or Barlow could force his way onto the club. He could be traded. We all remember the guys who got Hinkie specials and ended up becoming decent players like Grant and Covington. But guys get signed to deals like that fairly regularly and still end up getting the axe. The long-term deal is much more of a sign of how little leverage Bassey had than how much the Spurs coveted him. If Mamu's deal is guaranteed, I'd take it as a sign that he had a stronger negotiating position than Bassey did. If all the Spurs had to do to get him on a four-year deal was guarantee money they were already going to guarantee, they would totally do it. But Mamu didn't have to give up tons of flexiblity to get a Bassey-like payout. It's very possible that Mamu would've required a much larger base salary to get that kind of contract length.

(As I said, this is assuming Mamu's deal is guaranteed. Also, I know by the time Mamu signed they didn't have the cap space to give him a four-year deal. But that's incidental. They could've forgone the Payne deal or even signed him to a two-year contract if they had the negotiating position to get that at no extra cost.)

[Cabrito]

A team trading an asset and contract is not necessarily a sign that the traded player can’t play. The asset is necessary for the receiving team to absorb the contract. The trade gives the trading team the flexibility it covets, but it comes at a cost.

Cedi is a foreign born vet that played a legit role on a playoff team. Bullock is a well liked vet with leadership skills and experience on playoff teams. Those are traits the Spurs desperately need so I will be surprised if those two are cut.

[exstatic]

A team trading an asset and contract is not necessarily a sign that the traded player can’t play. The asset is necessary for the receiving team to absorb the contract. The trade gives the trading team the flexibility it covets, but it comes at a cost.

Cedi is a foreign born vet that played a legit role on a playoff team. Bullock is a well liked vet with leadership skills and experience on playoff teams. Those are traits the Spurs desperately need so I will be surprised if those two are cut.

Two players will have to be cut, three if they want to convert Barlow early or keep an open roster spot like they often do, and it won't be young prospects. I'd say Birch is a lock as one of them, but the other almost certainly will be one of Cedi or Bullock. They have no future with this team, both because of the timeline, and the fact that they aren't as cheap as the young players, and have zero upside left.

[Mr. Body]

Two players will have to be cut, three if they want to convert Barlow early or keep an open roster spot like they often do, and it won't be young prospects. I'd say Birch is a lock as one of them, but the other almost certainly will be one of Cedi or Bullock. They have no future with this team, both because of the timeline, and the fact that they aren't as cheap as the young players, and have zero upside left.

Yeah. By all accounts it seems to be Cedi stays. Bullock was on a decline last year and he's pretty old. Might have value for a contender that needs some experience, but keeping him on the outside chance at an asset isn't worth cutting a developing young talent.

[rankingtear]

Bullock is the cut. Does not really makes sense on the court. No indication he is anywhere near San Antonio.

[jjspur]

It seems Birch pretty much has no value to us and very little value around the league. Teams will wait till we cut him, and he will then sign for a minimum deal, play in Europe or China, or just call it a career.
Our last cut will be quite tough though.
Bullock is a vet with experience that teams like and can use, but don't really want pay for any more. Options for him are the same being cut, traded, or kept.
The spurs probably like Osman about as much as Bullock. He can be useful as a one year stop gap, but that's it, much like and older Bullock.
Bassey has a cheap contract which is easy on the budget even if we cut him but it would be a shame to do so since he's had very little time to show his skills.

Of course there is Mamu and Wesley. Mamu helped himself this summer by playing well for his country while Wesley didn't do much in summer league. Wesley needs to show something in training camp or he may end up in Austin all year. Fortunately he still has a contract, but that won't keep him from getting cut sooner than later.

Like I said its gong to be a tough call for the spurs. The spurs could surprise us with a 2 for 1 trade or even for one with future picks. It would solve a few problems, but I won't hold my breath. The spurs could also just cut 2 more guys and call it a training camp.

[TD 21]

None of the bigs (excluding Birch, an automatic cut) are in competition for a roster spot. There's 18 of them and they comprise 6, which makes sense on a team seemingly slated to primarily play 2 simultaneously; especially when non are proven "innings eaters."

Bassey supposedly had 22 teams interested in him before he choose the Spurs. His contract speaks more so to a combination of saturation of the market for non "unicorn" bigs + the opportunity he has here.

[Mr. Body]

It seems Birch pretty much has no value to us and very little value around the league. Teams will wait till we cut him, and he will then sign for a minimum deal, play in Europe or China, or just call it a career.
Our last cut will be quite tough though.
Bullock is a vet with experience that teams like and can use, but don't really want pay for any more. Options for him are the same being cut, traded, or kept.
The spurs probably like Osman about as much as Bullock. He can be useful as a one year stop gap, but that's it, much like and older Bullock.
Bassey has a cheap contract which is easy on the budget even if we cut him but it would be a shame to do so since he's had very little time to show his skills.

Of course there is Mamu and Wesley. Mamu helped himself this summer by playing well for his country while Wesley didn't do much in summer league. Wesley needs to show something in training camp or he may end up in Austin all year. Fortunately he still has a contract, but that won't keep him from getting cut sooner than later.

Like I said its gong to be a tough call for the spurs. The spurs could surprise us with a 2 for 1 trade or even for one with future picks. It would solve a few problems, but I won't hold my breath. The spurs could also just cut 2 more guys and call it a training camp.

It's a good rundown.

Here's the rotation of bigs:

Wembanyama
Zach Collins
Sochan
Bassey
Mamukelashvili
Dominic Barlow

That's it. None of them has more than two years of experience other than Zach. Three of them had injury concerns last year.

Wesley has huge question marks but there's no reason to cut him without seeing a second year of development. As for the rest, Bullock is 32 years old and has no future on the team. Osman can fill a role for a while. I don't see any of the bigs given the axe other than Khem. Guessing Bullock is sticking around in case he can be trade filler or a team decides they can use him.

[CGD]

Bullock is the cut. Does not really makes sense on the court. No indication he is anywhere near San Antonio.

I think he has the most trade value of the end of bench bunch, which is why I think he sticks around until Feb. I still think as between him and Cedí for the last cut it’s Cedi who is cut.

I still see a path where both stay, which is why I think more than most here that Bassey is on the bubble. They have Barlow on a two-way and can scour the g-league for another body is needed. It’s not like this team is set by any means, they’ll be churning through guys

[scott]

Cedi doing profile pieces with the Express-News speaks to him likely having a leg up on Bullock. Don't thing the Spurs would pitch stories to Jeff McDonald if he wasn't viewed as a probably roster piece, and I doubt Cedi's publicist/agent was doing the work with local media. https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/veteran-cedi-osman-seeks-career-reawakening-18389563.php

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Unless the Spurs want no part of Bullock for chemistry reasons, I can’t see why they’d cut him before Bassey. Bullock’s an easy fit and there’s a clear path for him to get rotation minutes. He’d also have decent value at the deadline.

Bassey, on the other hand, has Collins, Wemby at center and Mamu ahead of him, probably Barlow as well. Don’t see the need for two project back-up centers, so unless there’s a trade I’d bet on him being cut.

[exstatic]

Unless the Spurs want no part of Bullock for chemistry reasons, I can’t see why they’d cut him before Bassey. Bullock’s an easy fit and there’s a clear path for him to get rotation minutes. He’d also have decent value at the deadline.

Bassey, on the other hand, has Collins, Wemby at center and Mamu ahead of him, probably Barlow as well. Don’t see the need for two project back-up centers, so unless there’s a trade I’d bet on him being cut.

Why would you want that? We have young mouths to feed at the minutes trough. We don't need some 32 YO stealing minutes from Jeremy and Malaki. We've also seen recently that veteran players no longer bring FRPs at the deadline, and we don't really need more SRPs to add to like the 16 we have already.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Why would you want that? We have young mouths to feed at the minutes trough. We don't need some 32 YO stealing minutes from Jeremy and Malaki. We've also seen recently that veteran players no longer bring FRPs at the deadline, and we don't really need more SRPs to add to like the 16 we have already.

Because for me veteran players who can create space and play defence are the perfect foil for developing the young guys that need the ball in their hands. More structure would help development better than throwing minutes to players in all rookie type lineups.

[Mr. Body]

Unless the Spurs want no part of Bullock for chemistry reasons, I can’t see why they’d cut him before Bassey. Bullock’s an easy fit and there’s a clear path for him to get rotation minutes. He’d also have decent value at the deadline.

Bassey, on the other hand, has Collins, Wemby at center and Mamu ahead of him, probably Barlow as well. Don’t see the need for two project back-up centers, so unless there’s a trade I’d bet on him being cut.

This take makes no sense.

[exstatic]

Because for me veteran players who can create space and play defence are the perfect foil for developing the young guys that need the ball in their hands. More structure would help development better than throwing minutes to players in all rookie type lineups.

This also makes no sense.

[rankingtear]

Because for me veteran players who can create space and play defence are the perfect foil for developing the young guys that need the ball in their hands. More structure would help development better than throwing minutes to players in all rookie type lineups.

A 3 and D wing is not a good development vet. There is so little value in having a player stand in the corner and get most of the on ball defense reps.

[scott]

Unless the Spurs want no part of Bullock for chemistry reasons, I can’t see why they’d cut him before Bassey. Bullock’s an easy fit and there’s a clear path for him to get rotation minutes. He’d also have decent value at the deadline.

Bassey, on the other hand, has Collins, Wemby at center and Mamu ahead of him, probably Barlow as well. Don’t see the need for two project back-up centers, so unless there’s a trade I’d bet on him being cut.

Wemby is playing the 4, the Bassey is not behind Mamu or Barlow. :lol