Charania: Bassey Re-Signs With Spurs

[TD 21]

1/$2.2M fully guaranteed. Expected to return in the first half of next season.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1813355962088206424

[tonight...you]

scott

[jeebus]

Will those knees hold up? Hmmmmmm

[Chinook]

Given that this is a season for controlled growth, it's not surprising. But I have to say, the team seeming content to bring back basically their entire deep bench is disheartening.

At least scott got a win.

[jeebus]

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1813356982557880540

[rjv]

damn, there goes my dream of a 24/25 title run.

[spurraider21]

we had him for 2/5 with the second year being non guaranteed, now have him for 1/2.2

needed to cut him to make room for the Barnes trade tho. well worth losing the year of control, even though it would have been nice to negotiate that in again

i do think he played well last year in his limited time. but if he's a slightly undersized shotblocker, gotta have all kinds of confidence in those knees

[timvp]

In a vacuum, I like Barlow more than Bassey. But for whatever reason, Barlow and Wemby didn't mesh at all.

Bassey loses $300,000 after getting waived and re-signed -- but he has to be pleased about getting fully guaranteed after his knees exploded for a third time.

[spurraider21]

Given that this is a season for controlled growth, it's not surprising. But I have to say, the team seeming content to bring back basically their entire deep bench is disheartening.

At least scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) got a win.
wonder if theres a realistic chance wesley gets waived outright at some point and they make other use of the RE? ideally to get a player like Kennard or something. or maybe just to eat a contract for a pick (ugh)

[tonight...you]

Given that this is a season for controlled growth, it's not surprising. But I have to say, the team seeming content to bring back basically their entire deep bench is disheartening.

At least scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) got a win.
Could you expand upon this?
I'm not the kind of guy that thinks the deep bench is going to move mountains in any direction, but I would like a bird's eye view from someone like yourself to maybe give me some clarity as to why I should care.

[Mr. Body]

Given that this is a season for controlled growth, it's not surprising. But I have to say, the team seeming content to bring back basically their entire deep bench is disheartening.

At least scott got a win.

The flexibility has to be a big priority. I'm not sure they were even entirely happy taking Harrison Barnes with two seasons of contract, but the vet presence and capital were worth it. Bassey and Mamu are great character guys who can play in a pinch with no long term risk.

[TD 21]

wonder if theres a realistic chance wesley gets waived outright at some point and they make other use of the RE? ideally to get a player like Kennard or something. or maybe just to eat a contract for a pick (ugh)

I don't see it. I think they wanted the likes of Champagnie and Branham slotted into more appropriate roles to where they'd have to earn minutes; not be buried.

[jesterbobman]

Agree. I was on board with a bit of patience, but I think they've been a little too reticent to move on.

I think that a lot of that deep bench is here for one season of play, with X number of picks (probably 2) in 2024/25 replacing Paul (Maybe, he's old), Blake, Malaki (maybe, he hasn't been good), and a refresh of depth in 2025-26 through FA. I'd love to be able to pump up the value of Malaki on Blake with better teammates and structure and use them as part of the assets for a Zach Collins trade.

I think they're content for a year of slow growth towards playoff fringes and thought it's not worth using up draft capital to accelerate towards a low playoff seed, but there's less point in slowing down in year 3 and the incoming pick from Atlanta being a swap.

[Ariel]

scott right now :lol

https://media1.tenor.com/m/0Sh7u1lRsyEAAAAC/wedding-crasher-hro.gif

[Obstructed_View]

Guess I gotta start thinking about a new profile pic.

[tbdog]

In a vacuum, I like Barlow more than Bassey. But for whatever reason, Barlow and Wemby didn't mesh at all.

I too was in team Barlow. I do find it odd that Spurs are high on Bassey. He is a minimum, probably a third center type of player. Has little area of growth. And coming off a serious injury. Spurs must really like this guy.

[tbdog]

Given that this is a season for controlled growth, it's not surprising. But I have to say, the team seeming content to bring back basically their entire deep bench is disheartening.

At least scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) got a win.

We did insert two starters though. So everyone kinda got a bump down.

[SpursFan86]

Bleh. I like Bassey (and Mamu) but just a little disappointing to have access to an ~8MM MLE and not use it.

[scott]

Science Bless!!!

The Prince Who Was Promised returns.

Thank you for all of those who kept me in your T&Ps during my time of duress.

[scott]

Also... don't worry folks.

My Spidey-senses tell me we'll be sending out two or more players when we acquire Lauri, at which time we'll have the room exception available to us for filling out the roster.

[mo7888]

Also... don't worry folks.

My Spidey-senses tell me we'll be sending out two or more players when we acquire Lauri, at which time we'll have the room exception available to us for filling out the roster.

I think the FO has sent an unmistakable signal to DA..."this is our best offer and if the GSW's beat it then take it". If we get him it'll be on our terms.

[Mr. Body]

I too was in team Barlow. I do find it odd that Spurs are high on Bassey. He is a minimum, probably a third center type of player. Has little area of growth. And coming off a serious injury. Spurs must really like this guy.

He showed a good deal of promise when healthy as a banger plus some nifty items like good passing. The team needs a strong post defender if Collins can't do it. Barlow, I think, can ostensibly go two-way again. It's worth a shot to see what he has; we already know where Barlow is.

Really, sticking by a player despite injuries is something agents tend to notice.

[MultiTroll]

Deal was negotiated by Young Money APAA CEO Adie von Gontard and agent Daveed Cohen.

Will Bassey be rapping or hooping with the Spurs?

[scott]

I think the FO has sent an unmistakable signal to DA..."this is our best offer and if the GSW's beat it then take it". If we get him it'll be on our terms.

Indeed! I think we're more in the game than it may seem... just need GSW and UTA to get sick of arguing with each other and we're golden. If not, then we move on.

[baseline bum]

scott right now :lol

https://media1.tenor.com/m/0Sh7u1lRsyEAAAAC/wedding-crasher-hro.gif

We got Markannen?

[baseline bum]

I think the FO has sent an unmistakable signal to DA..."this is our best offer and if the GSW's beat it then take it". If we get him it'll be on our terms.

I think our offer probably wins if Golden State keeps refusing to trade for a 2030 pick so Ainge can pluck their juicy 2029 and 2031 firsts unprotectected. If they do trade for a 2030 pick think the Spurs won't be able to match the Warriors offer though.

[scott]

We got Markannen?

It might be a summer of celebrations

[ginobilized]

Bassey won't return from injury for awhile, correct?
They must really love him. Tough bruiser types are always good to have around for keeping practices intense.
I don't expect that we'll see much of him, but, he is a welcome sight compared to our backup center.

[ismael-robert]

All he does is block n maybe rebound. Never saw him impress in post or be a good passer. Supposedly he may have a secret shooting ability spurs never let him use so let's see if it comes out this year

[SpursFan86]

All he does is block n maybe rebound. Never saw him impress in post or be a good passer. Supposedly he may have a secret shooting ability spurs never let him use so let's see if it comes out this year

He’s a third string center on a one-year minimum deal…did you think you were getting Jokic? :lol

He’s a solid interior defender and rebounder - two areas where we totally fell apart last year whenever Wemby wasn’t playing.

[The Truth #6]

Since he's been injured so long it would be fantastic if he worked on his outside shooting. His career seems to be hanging on the Spurs interest in keeping flexibility. So, I guess not sure how much they really are invested in him. But rooting for him.

[TD 21]

Bleh. I like Bassey (and Mamu) but just a little disappointing to have access to an ~8MM MLE and not use it.

Keep in mind, these are non rotation spots and even in this environment, you don't sign someone for a portion or all of the room exception to do that.

[SpursFan86]

Keep in mind, these are non rotation spots and even in this environment, you don't sign someone for a portion or all of the room exception to do that.

Right, I guess in my dream world we would’ve gotten a more legitimate backup 2 or 3 (with the MLE) to take minutes from Branham/Champagnie. Admittedly the options at this point are pretty slim though so whatever.

[ismael-robert]

The thing is guys like mamu can blow up n have a break out game any night, or at least have a big impact on winning. We've always been able to pick up high iq guys like this but I don't see Bassey fitting that role like a mamu or osman can

[Spursfanfromafar]

Bassey is more of a Wemby backup than Barlow, methinks. Was an efficient player when he wasn't injured.

[spurraider21]

I liked what i saw from Bassey last year. When healthy presented himself a legit alternative to Collins as the backup C depending on what is stylistically needed. Do we need the offensive creation of Collins (yes i know, his 3 point shot died last year... but was still a fairly effective interior scorer), or do we need more sturdy interior defense?

Our offense was pretty bad last year almost regardless of who was on the floor, but our defense was good with Wemby, and horrible without. Bassey can provide something of a buffer there

[exstatic]

Bassey won't return from injury for awhile, correct?
They must really love him. Tough bruiser types are always good to have around for keeping practices intense.
I don't expect that we'll see much of him, but, he is a welcome sight compared to our backup center.

His injury was in a game on the 1st of December, and the ACL surgery recovery period is generally a year.

[Darkwaters]

I thought they had two open roster spots prior to bringing back Bassey. Did I miss a Mamu resigning?

Edit: Yes, I did indeed. Good news!

[JPB]

I think the FO has sent an unmistakable signal to DA..."this is our best offer and if the GSW's beat it then take it". If we get him it'll be on our terms.

Then you won't get him and miss on an opportunity. Egotic victories don't matter. That's just not how trades work. We can flex all we want, but ultimately Ainge decides and we should stop thinking he's desperate and GS or SA could be the only interested teams. And like the whole NBA, he knows spurs need to find another star. There's some pressure for SA too.

[DPG21920]

I agree with Chinook in that there was SO MUCH room to turn over a lot more of the roster. Bringing in Barnes + CP I think were good moves for this type of plan, but they dont move needle much truly IMO.

Im good with what SA did on top 8 in rotation adding CP+Barnes+Castle - they will all play solid minutes. But the Spurs pipeline and back half of the roster needs so much change and upgrades its a little disappointing to not see some more turnover or ambition at this point to take some swings on newer, higher upside players (ie trading that 8th pick - which several guys look pretty damn good in SL like Bub, Cody Williams, Buzelis etc…)


I actually like Mamu so Im glad hes back, but Collins (to a lesser degree, I think if hes healthy and confident he is a + player), Bassey, Branham, Blake, etc just aren’t exciting and although it doesnt matter much this season anyways, I really hope they keep ramping up the aggression on turning over the roster and trying to find more productive higher end players

The Spurs talent pipeline is pretty rough right now at back end but good news is that can change so fast with how much draft capital SA has.

[spurraider21]

I agree with Chinook (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=37557) in that there was SO MUCH room to turn over a lot more of the roster. Bringing in Barnes + CP I think were good moves for this type of plan, but they dont move needle much truly IMO.

Im good with what SA did on top 8 in rotation adding CP+Barnes+Castle - they will all play solid minutes. But the Spurs pipeline and back half of the roster needs so much change and upgrades its a little disappointing to not see some more turnover or ambition at this point to take some swings on newer, higher upside players (ie trading that 8th pick - which several guys look pretty damn good in SL like Bub, Cody Williams, Buzelis etc…)


I actually like Mamu so Im glad hes back, but Collins (to a lesser degree, I think if hes healthy and confident he is a + player), Bassey, Branham, Blake, etc just aren’t exciting and although it doesnt matter much this season anyways, I really hope they keep ramping up the aggression on turning over the roster and trying to find more productive higher end players

The Spurs talent pipeline is pretty rough right now at back end but good news is that can change so fast with how much draft capital SA has.
replacing last year's vets of Graham/Osman with Paul/Barnes is obviously an upgrade

replacing Barlow with Castle is fine

but we really couldn't improve upon bassey/mamu? we had to commit to another year of Cissoko/Wesley? we have the full room exception available...

[ChumpDumper]

They probably see growth potential in Bassey/Mamu as well as willingness to take one year deals. Cissoko/Wesley? Young enough to give them one more season. I'm not sure the room exception would be used for anything more than one season even if the owners want to go that far over the cap. I won't expect any more regular team signings. I expect most things to reaming on hold until the Lauri situation resolves.

[Bruno]

It's hard to know whether it's a good signing or not because it's all about his left knee. When will he comeback from the ACL surgery and what is the global health of that knee after having had 3 major injuries to it?

And Spurs' end of the bench being quite bad is a direct result of a lack of investment. Last year, Spurs traded away their early second round pick and they spend it, this year, on a stashed player.

[J_Paco]

Neither is a good offensive player - which may doom their long-term outlook - but both Cissoko and Wesley have shown glimpses as defenders & an offensive connector (Sidy)/ (secondary) playmaker (Blake). It makes some sense to give them both another year when the team is in dire need of quality perimeter defenders.

I'm okay with keeping the back end of the roster with young guys that can still theoretically improve, but keeping guys like Zach and Keldon around I'm against.

They both have reached their peak, don't fit well beside Wembanyama, and are too flawed to be major pieces on a winning team, so why not flip one or both for more defense or an outside shooter?

[DPG21920]

They probably see growth potential in Bassey/Mamu as well as willingness to take one year deals. Cissoko/Wesley? Young enough to give them one more season. I'm not sure the room exception would be used for anything more than one season even if the owners want to go that far over the cap. I won't expect any more regular team signings. I expect most things to reaming on hold until the Lauri situation resolves.

Sure I agree that’s reality and it makes sense and it’s nothing to hand-wring over too much in the context of SA clearly not pushing to be contenders this offseason anyways. But I do think they could have gotten a bit more ambitious in taking some swings on guys with upside (like not trading pick 8 for example) and I would have preferred that just because the bottom 5-7 guys on this team are just so weak amongst having profiles as non-shooters which is just hard to stomach collectively.

Not a big deal in context, but individually I would hope to see a much sharper approach with higher upside swings starting after this season.

[ChumpDumper]

It's pretty apparent what they did and did not want to do this offseason. It looks like the team is set for the start of the season barring a Lauri trade; something like that would seem the only thing that would sway the Spurs from keeping their flexibility going into next summer with the reportedly deep draft.

[scott]

I agree with Chinook (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=37557) in that there was SO MUCH room to turn over a lot more of the roster. Bringing in Barnes + CP I think were good moves for this type of plan, but they dont move needle much truly IMO.

Im good with what SA did on top 8 in rotation adding CP+Barnes+Castle - they will all play solid minutes. But the Spurs pipeline and back half of the roster needs so much change and upgrades its a little disappointing to not see some more turnover or ambition at this point to take some swings on newer, higher upside players (ie trading that 8th pick - which several guys look pretty damn good in SL like Bub, Cody Williams, Buzelis etc…)


I actually like Mamu so Im glad hes back, but Collins (to a lesser degree, I think if hes healthy and confident he is a + player), Bassey, Branham, Blake, etc just aren’t exciting and although it doesnt matter much this season anyways, I really hope they keep ramping up the aggression on turning over the roster and trying to find more productive higher end players

The Spurs talent pipeline is pretty rough right now at back end but good news is that can change so fast with how much draft capital SA has.

As much as I am happy to see Bassey back, I generally agree. Pretty much everyone was in agreement that Spurs simply shouldn't run it back + two rookies this year... and while they aren't doing that, they aren't doing too much beyond that. Individually the CP3 and Barnes moves make sense, but a 39-year old CP3 and a role playing Barnes aren't really needle movers, like you said. And of course... we only brought in one rookie instead of two.

I'd call this a slightly more advanced version of Running it Back.

With that said, it is just one year. I'd definitely like the Spurs be more aggressive in taking advantage of Wemby's rookie deal... but they are sticking with the slow and steady approach.

I'm not touching the over on 35.5 wins.

[scott]

It's hard to know whether it's a good signing or not because it's all about his left knee. When will he comeback from the ACL surgery and what is the global health of that knee after having had 3 major injuries to it?

And Spurs' end of the bench being quite bad is a direct result of a lack of investment. Last year, Spurs traded away their early second round pick and they spend it, this year, on a stashed player.

Yeah, it is quite shocking to me that in back to back years we turned the 33rd and 35th pick into cash and a guy who we probably never intend on bringing over.

[spurraider21]

Yeah, it is quite shocking to me that in back to back years we turned the 33rd and 35th pick into cash and a guy who we probably never intend on bringing over.
and yet gave a big league contract to Cissoko :lol

[scott]

and yet gave a big league contract to Cissoko :lol

Yeah, I think it's pretty safe to say that this is not the same scouting department that made us among the league's drafting elites for so long (which shows in the data - hoping we get an update to this soon: https://braydengerrard.shinyapps.io/Draft_Scores/)

[exstatic]

I agree with Chinook in that there was SO MUCH room to turn over a lot more of the roster. Bringing in Barnes + CP I think were good moves for this type of plan, but they dont move needle much truly IMO.

Im good with what SA did on top 8 in rotation adding CP+Barnes+Castle - they will all play solid minutes. But the Spurs pipeline and back half of the roster needs so much change and upgrades its a little disappointing to not see some more turnover or ambition at this point to take some swings on newer, higher upside players (ie trading that 8th pick - which several guys look pretty damn good in SL like Bub, Cody Williams, Buzelis etc…)


I actually like Mamu so Im glad hes back, but Collins (to a lesser degree, I think if hes healthy and confident he is a + player), Bassey, Branham, Blake, etc just aren’t exciting and although it doesnt matter much this season anyways, I really hope they keep ramping up the aggression on turning over the roster and trying to find more productive higher end players

The Spurs talent pipeline is pretty rough right now at back end but good news is that can change so fast with how much draft capital SA has.

Branham and Blake aren’t going anywhere because they are guaranteed, and offloading them doesn’t increase the cap figure with $$$ to bring in replacements.

[spurraider21]

Branham and Blake aren’t going anywhere because they are guaranteed, and offloading them doesn’t increase the cap figure with $$$ to bring in replacements.
we have the room exception to replace them with

you cant find a better PG than wesley for 8 mil?

[exstatic]

we have the room exception to replace them with

you cant find a better PG than wesley for 8 mil?

Why do we need to jump into the room exception to replace our 4th string PG? Is that roster spot critical enough to cut Wesley and eat his $2.6M, plus dole out another contract out of the exception?

[Seventyniner]

With the acquisition of Barnes, it doesn't look like the Spurs are trying to open up lots of 2025 cap space. Instead they seem to be focusing on 2026, which makes sense because Collins will come off the books then too.

In that framework, it would make no sense to decline the option on either Branham or Wesley. The Spurs can operate over the cap in 2025 and let Branham and Wesley become RFAs in 2026, with the intent to renounce one or both if they need the cap space badly enough.

Unless one or both shows enough promise to warrant an extension, I guess, but neither has so far.

[LeBowen]

With the acquisition of Barnes, it doesn't look like the Spurs are trying to open up lots of 2025 cap space. Instead they seem to be focusing on 2026, which makes sense because Collins will come off the books then too.

Barnes and his $19M will be just 12% of next year's cap that's projected at ~$155M.
His contract isn't a hinderance to opening cap space at all.

We're at $126M for 25-26 season with 11 guaranteed contracts and the assumption Tre and CP3 enter free agency.
Keldon and Collins will be easily tradeable at $17.5M and $18M respectively.
Declining options for Branham, Wesley and Sidy would get us another $12M in cap space.

We could easily open up as much as $76M in cap space with 6 rotation players on the roster.
That's why Markkanen trade makes so much sense. Even if we max him, we'd have $30M cap space, 7 rotation players and 2 FRPs in '25 draft.

[Seventyniner]

Barnes and his $19M will be just 12% of next year's cap that's projected at ~$155M.
His contract isn't a hinderance to opening cap space at all.

We're at $126M for 25-26 season with 11 guaranteed contracts and the assumption Tre and CP3 enter free agency.
Keldon and Collins will be easily tradeable at $17.5M and $18M respectively.
Declining options for Branham, Wesley and Sidy would get us another $12M in cap space.

We could easily open up as much as $76M in cap space with 6 rotation players on the roster.
That's why Markkanen trade makes so much sense. Even if we max him, we'd have $30M cap space, 7 rotation players and 2 FRPs in '25 draft.

The problem with the Branham and Wesley option part is that the Spurs have to decide on them by the end of October this year, whereas if they want to salary dump their way into significant 2025 space they wouldn't be able to do so very easily until next summer. It might be harder than you think to dump Barnes and Collins and Keldon.

Keldon doesn't factor into my analysis anyway because his contract still has 3 more years on it.

The Barnes and Collins contracts make opening up lots of space in 2026 much easier than in 2025. There's also the downside risk that the Spurs decline the option on Branham/Wesley and one of them blows up this year. I might have the rules wrong, but I think if the Spurs decline the 4th year option then Branham/Wesley would be UFAs next summer; if that's true it's another reason to pick up their options and aim for 2026 free agency.

[Chomag]

Man I really wish this dude could stay healthy but I pretty much see him as a Oden at this point. I'll be glad to be proven wrong though

[LeBowen]

The problem with the Branham and Wesley option part is that the Spurs have to decide on them by the end of October this year, whereas if they want to salary dump their way into significant 2025 space they wouldn't be able to do so very easily until next summer.

Considering how poor they've been, especially Wesley, maybe they already decided.
And even if they didn't, sending an expiring rookie deal to a tanking team would be easy.


It might be harder than you think to dump Barnes and Collins and Keldon.

Why would we dump Barnes?
I don't understand why are people underestimating him so much, he just turned 32 and will probably be our most consistent wing this season.
Keldon is nothing special, but he's still a solid spark off the bench on a declining contract. He's not a negative asset.
Collins is the only contract that needs dumping, he's definitely going to be used in a trade as a salary filler.


The Barnes and Collins contracts make opening up lots of space in 2026 much easier than in 2025.

The thing with opening cap space is that it's useless these days if we talk acquiring star players and Spurs won't have cap issues getting rotation players in FA.
Look at upcoming free agents. It's either older players that ask for a 4 year max and Spurs should just stay away from those deals or flawed younger players who aren't worth the max.
Everyone who's worth a damn gets a max these days.
With the money blowing up, noone is rejecting extensions. Free agency for star players is a thing of the past and won't be a common occurrence from now on.

2025 free agency class is obviously really poor except Naz Reid and potentially Markkanen, 2026 is probably even worse with Fox being the only max player Spurs would even consider.

[spurraider21]

Why do we need to jump into the room exception to replace our 4th string PG? Is that roster spot critical enough to cut Wesley and eat his $2.6M, plus dole out another contract out of the exception?
dont have to use it all. was just rebutting the point of your claim that cutting wesley wont increase cap space to improve upon him. we dont need to create space to find a better use of that roster spot. we have it via room exception. could be someone like Fultz

[exstatic]

dont have to use it all. was just rebutting the point of your claim that cutting wesley wont increase cap space to improve upon him. we dont need to create space to find a better use of that roster spot. we have it via room exception. could be someone like Fultz

Why do we need to pay Fultz out of the exception, and eat 2.6 M for him to be our 4th string PG? Make it make sense, other than doing something just to do something.

[scott]

The thing is, we have a bunch of guys on this roster who can be upgraded, but aren't: Branham, Wesley, Mamu, Bassey (my king), Champ, Sidy, That's 40% of the roster.

It's not about upgrading the 4th string PG spot... it's about turning over the roster with low-cost, high upside swings.

We're running back a team with back-to-back 22-win seasons with 12 of the same 15 players, and only one of them is part of the long-term future. It's just a little... passive.

With that said, Wemby is really fucking good and I think we'll see some improvement and we did see one line-up in particular really show good results last year... so it's not like our existing roster should be completely discarded... but it's also not good enough to completely stick with (which we're going to a clip of 80% roster continuity... which reminds me to dig up my roster continuity post from last year).

[rascal]

Can't stay healthy

Why waste a roster spot here

[DPG21920]

Branham and Blake aren’t going anywhere because they are guaranteed, and offloading them doesn’t increase the cap figure with $$$ to bring in replacements.

We dont need cap room for them. They could be waived and the MLE used to replace them just fine. Or using the 8th pick to have replaced them. Or traded up using seconds to get into late first round. Lots of options.

[rascal]

The thing is, we have a bunch of guys on this roster who can be upgraded, but aren't: Branham, Wesley, Mamu, Bassey (my king), Champ, Sidy, That's 40% of the roster.

It's not about upgrading the 4th string PG spot... it's about turning over the roster with low-cost, high upside swings.

We're running back a team with back-to-back 22-win seasons with 12 of the same 15 players, and only one of them is part of the long-term future. It's just a little... passive.

With that said, Wemby is really fucking good and I think we'll see some improvement and we did see one line-up in particular really show good results last year... so it's not like our existing roster should be completely discarded... but it's also not good enough to completely stick with (which we're going to a clip of 80% roster continuity... which reminds me to dig up my roster continuity post from last year).

You expected something different from a super conservative team like the Spurs.

I knew they were going to run it back with most of the same team.

[J_Paco]

The thing is, we have a bunch of guys on this roster who can be upgraded, but aren't: Branham, Wesley, Mamu, Bassey (my king), Champ, Sidy, That's 40% of the roster.

It's not about upgrading the 4th string PG spot... it's about turning over the roster with low-cost, high upside swings.

We're running back a team with back-to-back 22-win seasons with 12 of the same 15 players, and only one of them is part of the long-term future. It's just a little... passive.

With that said, Wemby is really fucking good and I think we'll see some improvement and we did see one line-up in particular really show good results last year... so it's not like our existing roster should be completely discarded... but it's also not good enough to completely stick with (which we're going to a clip of 80% roster continuity... which reminds me to dig up my roster continuity post from last year).

Who are some of these "low-cost, high-upside swings" they can make to replace 6 players on their roster?

I see this idea being constantly repeated, but no one has more than one or two names to replace that many players.

I think they can and will move on from most or all of those guys, but it doesn't need to happen in one fell swoop.

Plus, most of them still have some upside and potential that it might merit keeping them around for one season or more. Champagnie, Mamu and (yes, ST's newest whipping boy) Wesley showed some good things/positive growth last season.

Malaki, Sidy, and Charles all have some strengths, but their weaknesses and injury history (in Bassey's case) is holding them back more, IMO.

The team will have plenty of picks and opportunities to move on from anyone not in their long-term plans. Why not see if adding 2 'winning veterans' can have a positive impact first?

[spurraider21]

Why do we need to pay Fultz out of the exception, and eat 2.6 M for him to be our 4th string PG? Make it make sense, other than doing something just to do something.
who cares about eating 2.6 mil. i have zero rooting interest in the Holt Family Trust. often times eating guaranteed money is bad business. hurts your cap situation. this isnt one of them.

as a fan, i like it when the teams i like do things that make the team better. Fultz isnt that old, just turned 26, and has been a solid player who still has room to improve.

[J_Paco]

who cares about eating 2.6 mil. i have zero rooting interest in the Holt Family Trust. often times eating guaranteed money is bad business. hurts your cap situation. this isnt one of them.

as a fan, i like it when the teams i like do things that make the team better. Fultz isnt that old, just turned 26, and has been a solid player who still has room to improve.

He's also just a further along version of Wesley with a much worse injury history. That likely won't come for anything less than the full MLE.

And I like Fultz, but he needs to be on a team tons of shooting to be effective. Spurs still don't have enough of that and too many non-shooters as is.

And he is a better player than Wesley - I'm not argue that he isn't - yet he doesn't add anything that Wesley can already provide in spots (as much as ST doesn't want to believe that).

I actually wish the Spurs would've gone after Aaron Holiday or Seth Curry, since they are both volume 3 pt. shooters that could provide a offensive spark (and replace Graham).

[scott]

Who are some of these "low-cost, high-upside swings" they can make to replace 6 players on their roster?

I see this idea being constantly repeated, but no one has more than one or two names to replace that many players.

I think they can and will move on from most or all of those guys, but it doesn't need to happen in one fell swoop.

Plus, most of them still have some upside and potential that it might merit keeping them around for one season or more. Champagnie, Mamu and (yes, ST's newest whipping boy) Wesley showed some good things/positive growth last season.

Malaki, Sidy, and Charles all have some strengths, but their weaknesses and injury history (in Bassey's case) is holding them back more, IMO.

The team will have plenty of picks and opportunities to move on from anyone not in their long-term plans. Why not see if adding 2 'winning veterans' can have a positive impact first?

The NBA just held a draft, where teams had an opportunity to add prospects to their roster. The Spurs had picks 8 and 35 in this said draft, and used those picks to add zero players.

[LeBowen]

Are you guys serious?
Why the hell would you want Fultz when we just drafted a point guard who's a bad shooter?

There's no free agent left who can move the needle for us.
If we can't get Markkanen, PATFO should focus on upgrading Collins if they actually want to win games.

Brook is probably off limits now that Bucks got some good role players and don't need to move him.

I'd be happy if we could get Vucevic. He's got 2 years left on his deal, 20 and 21 million.
Collins, Wesley and some SRPs for Vucevic would be a good deal.
Or just Collins and Branham if they're interested.

He'll be 34 before the season starts, but never relied on athleticism and he'd torch every single bench big in the league.

[J_Paco]

The NBA just held a draft, where teams had an opportunity to add prospects to their roster. The Spurs had picks 8 and 35 in this said draft, and used those picks to add zero players.

Yeah, that doesn't replace the 6 guys you named. I'm was against the Spurs dumping those picks, but if Paul was the plan all along I somewhat understand the rational (even if I disagree).

[J_Paco]

Are you guys serious?
Why the hell would you want Fultz when we just drafted a point guard who's a bad shooter?

There's no free agent left who can move the needle for us.
If we can't get Markkanen, PATFO should focus on upgrading Collins if they actually want to win games.

Brook is probably off limits now that Bucks got some good role players and don't need to move him.

I'd be happy if we could get Vucevic. He's got 2 years left on his deal, 20 and 21 million.
Collins, Wesley and some SRPs for Vucevic would be a good deal.
Or just Collins and Branham if they're interested.

He'll be 34 before the season starts, but never relied on athleticism and he'd torch every single bench big in the league.

Spurs need to find another rim protector which Vuc doesn't provide at all.

The interior defense will be just as piss poor with him inside compared to Collins. And I'm all for moving on from Collins unless he miraculously plays defense like two or three years ago.

[scott]

Yeah, Fultz doesn't really bit the bill for the kind of moves you should make to upgrade that last 40% of the roster. But someone like Blake should be completing for his spot against an SRP or UDFA who shows potential, not just gifted a guaranteed place on the team. But, as evidenced by how the Spurs treat SRPs, their two-ways and the SL roster, they don't seem to care too much about the back ends of the roster. Champ, Bassey and Barlow (when they first joined the team) were great examples of effective use of those two-ways and back end roster spots. We'll see what they do with them this year. No more 24-year old G-League reclamation projects please.

[LeBowen]

Spurs need to find another rim protector which Vuc doesn't provide at all.

The interior defense will be just as piss poor with him inside compared to Collins. And I'm all for moving on from Collins unless he miraculously plays defense like two or three years ago.

He's a bad rim protector, but at least he has legit center size, unlike Collins. And is a way better rebounder.
There aren't any rim protectors left on the market, a lot of playoff teams are trying to get backup bigs without any luck.

[scott]

Yeah, that doesn't replace the 6 guys you named. I'm was against the Spurs dumping those picks, but if Paul was the plan all along I somewhat understand the rational (even if I disagree).

You don't need to replace all 6 guys at once, and I wasn't even suggesting we should. Those are just the 6 guys who are easily replaceable. We did replace two of our back-end roster guys though, Graham and Barlow.

[J_Paco]

You don't need to replace all 6 guys at once, and I wasn't even suggesting we should. Those are just the 6 guys who are easily replaceable. We did replace two of our back-end roster guys though, Graham and Barlow.



Ok, well the simple answer is the team either still likes them, haven't found suitable replacements, or believe they still have room for growth/upside.

None of those guys is on an immovable, long-term deal, so they can be traded, waived or not retained soon.

[Seventyniner]

Why would we dump Barnes?
I don't understand why are people underestimating him so much, he just turned 32 and will probably be our most consistent wing this season.
Keldon is nothing special, but he's still a solid spark off the bench on a declining contract. He's not a negative asset.
Collins is the only contract that needs dumping, he's definitely going to be used in a trade as a salary filler.

To open up 2025 cap space like you said. Your scenario for opening up tons of 2025 cap space involved trading Barnes. I called it a "dump" but I didn't mean that it would necessarily require the Spurs to send an asset out. I will take the blame for misusing the word.


The thing with opening cap space is that it's useless these days if we talk acquiring star players and Spurs won't have cap issues getting rotation players in FA.
Look at upcoming free agents. It's either older players that ask for a 4 year max and Spurs should just stay away from those deals or flawed younger players who aren't worth the max.
Everyone who's worth a damn gets a max these days.
With the money blowing up, noone is rejecting extensions. Free agency for star players is a thing of the past and won't be a common occurrence from now on.

2025 free agency class is obviously really poor except Naz Reid and potentially Markkanen, 2026 is probably even worse with Fox being the only max player Spurs would even consider.

I'm saying that the Spurs probably will, and in my opinion should, pick up the options on Branham and Wesley even though neither has showed the ability to be an above replacement level player yet. It doesn't seem like you disagree here?

Cap space in 2026 can still be useful because it can be used to create a huge trade exception for a team whose star wants out and/or extract assets (picks and maybe even useful players) from second apron teams. Are there any early termination players like Paul George who could unexpectedly move? It's probably better to have no cap space in 2025 and a ton in 2026 rather than a moderate amount each summer.

[scott]

Ok, well the simple answer is the team either still likes them, haven't found suitable replacements, or believe they still have room for growth/upside.

None of those guys is on an immovable, long-term deal, so they can be traded, waived or not retained soon.

Well of course that's the answer... that doesn't mean we as fans can't criticize them for that. We continue to maintain a higher-than-league-average continuity rate (which I addressed in another thread) despite being one of the worst teams in the league. There could be contextual reasons for that... but on the surface that just seems... odd.

[exstatic]

The thing is, we have a bunch of guys on this roster who can be upgraded, but aren't: Branham, Wesley, Mamu, Bassey (my king), Champ, Sidy, That's 40% of the roster.

It's not about upgrading the 4th string PG spot... it's about turning over the roster with low-cost, high upside swings.

We're running back a team with back-to-back 22-win seasons with 12 of the same 15 players, and only one of them is part of the long-term future. It's just a little... passive.

With that said, Wemby is really fucking good and I think we'll see some improvement and we did see one line-up in particular really show good results last year... so it's not like our existing roster should be completely discarded... but it's also not good enough to completely stick with (which we're going to a clip of 80% roster continuity... which reminds me to dig up my roster continuity post from last year).

Mamu, Champ, and Bassey are that. Low cost? Two of them are on one year minimum, and one is on a deal w/ 2 years $6M left.

Sidy, I see as a goner next year.

Sadly, for you, not only will Blake and Branham stay,they’ll have their year 4 options picked up this fall, and the meltdown here will be epic. Spurs generally do that unless the player presents some kind of problem, sexual deviancy or laziness. I saw that Lonnie was a bust after year two, and he went the whole 4 year rookie deal. Kyle Anderson went 4 years, but got a better offer.

I think one of the problems with last year’s roster was that players were asked to punch above their weight too often. Champ is a decent rotation player, but isn’t really starter quality. Blake and Branham were asked to play 6-8 man minutes as late FR draft picks in year two, when they would have been playing 9,10 man minutes. Yes, it was only a 20% turnover,but the three players coming aboard will be two starters and a rookie sixth man, bumping everyone else down to a more comfortable level.

[scott]

Mamu, Champ, and Bassey are that. Low cost? Two of them are on one year minimum, and one is on a deal w/ 2 years $6M left.

Sidy, I see as a goner next year.

Sadly, for you, not only will Blake and Branham stay,they’ll have their year 4 options picked up this fall, and the meltdown here will be epic. Spurs generally do that unless the player presents some kind of problem, sexual deviancy or laziness. I saw that Lonnie was a bust after year two, and he went the whole 4 year rookie deal. Kyle Anderson went 4 years, but got a better offer.

I think one of the problems with last year’s roster was that players were asked to punch above their weight too often. Champ is a decent rotation player, but isn’t really starter quality. Blake and Branham were asked to play 6-8 man minutes as late FR draft picks in year two, when they would have been playing 9,10 man minutes. Yes, it was only a 20% turnover,but the three players coming aboard will be two starters and a rookie sixth man, bumping everyone else down to a more comfortable level.

This will be year 3 of Mamu, Champ and Bassey. I agree Wesley and Bran will likely get their options picked up, which will mean 4 years of them. The complaint isn't on the micro-level on individual players, but more a macro-level that the Spurs need to be quicker at seeing what they have and moving on because otherwise we have what we have now: 40% of the roster tied up in low-ceiling players.

This will become a problem if we actually intend on using this draft picks when they come due... but, maybe we won't. 20131 isn't THAT far away, after all.

[RC_Drunkford]

This will be year 3 of Mamu, Champ and Bassey. I agree Wesley and Bran will likely get their options picked up, which will mean 4 years of them. The complaint isn't on the micro-level on individual players, but more a macro-level that the Spurs need to be quicker at seeing what they have and moving on because otherwise we have what we have now: 40% of the roster tied up in low-ceiling players.

This will become a problem if we actually intend on using this draft picks when they come due... but, maybe we won't. 20131 isn't THAT far away, after all.

year 3 is a crucial year where you usually see the biggest jump in production. We have 6 players entering their 3rd year, so I can understand the Spurs being patient. Somebody of those 6 will show major improvements and whoever doesn't needs to be cut.

[J_Paco]

This will be year 3 of Mamu, Champ and Bassey. I agree Wesley and Bran will likely get their options picked up, which will mean 4 years of them. The complaint isn't on the micro-level on individual players, but more a macro-level that the Spurs need to be quicker at seeing what they have and moving on because otherwise we have what we have now: 40% of the roster tied up in low-ceiling players.

This will become a problem if we actually intend on using this draft picks when they come due... but, maybe we won't. 20131 isn't THAT far away, after all.


I understand you wanting things to change at a faster rate, but aren't all back-end of the rosters made up of "low-ceiling" players? Otherwise, those type of players would be starting here, elsewhere or in the 10 - man rotation.

The days of being 8 to 10 - men deep with high-end players is likely dead with the new CBA.

Spurs need to find 4 to 6 high-quality players around Wemby, then fill out the roster with quality niché/role players.

A "low ceiling," undrafted specialist like Sam Hauser was a major contributor for the NBA champions.

[scott]

year 3 is a crucial year where you usually see the biggest jump in production. We have 6 players entering their 3rd year, so I can understand the Spurs being patient. Somebody of those 6 will show major improvements and whoever doesn't needs to be cut.

I count 4 guys entering their third year (Mamu and Bassey are going into their 4th year, just their 3rd with the Spurs), but fair point.

[exstatic]

This will be year 3 of Mamu, Champ and Bassey. I agree Wesley and Bran will likely get their options picked up, which will mean 4 years of them. The complaint isn't on the micro-level on individual players, but more a macro-level that the Spurs need to be quicker at seeing what they have and moving on because otherwise we have what we have now: 40% of the roster tied up in low-ceiling players.

This will become a problem if we actually intend on using this draft picks when they come due... but, maybe we won't. 20131 isn't THAT far away, after all.

We’ll have two roster spots open next summer from Sidy and CP, IMO, and can easily open third with Champ’s non guaranteed contract. That’s another 20%, but an aggregate 40% from last season.

[scott]

I understand you wanting things to change at a faster rate, but aren't all back-end of the roster made of "low-ceiling" players? Otherwise, those type of players would be starting here or elsewhere.

The days of being 8 to 10 - men deep with high-end players is likely dead with the new CBA.

Spurs need to find 4 to 6 high-quality players around Wemby, then fill out the roster with quality niché/role players.

No, not really. Not all end-of-rosters are filled with low-ceiling players. A lot of teams use that space as an opportunity for boom-or-bust prospects. I'd even argue that's what these guys were at one point... I hate to pick on Sidy as an example, but I think I've seen enough of that guy to know that his best role is one on the Shanghai Sharks, not the San Antonio Spurs.

It's not even a matter of patience, it's just a matter of resource management. I don't need to see two more years of Blake Wesley to know he's probably not going to be a rotation level player in the NBA, but we'll probably get two more years of Blake Wesley. I'd rather that go to a Johnny Furphy, who may have a shot at becoming something (or who may also end up needing to go back to Australia to have a pro career).

[J_Paco]

We’ll have two roster spots open next summer from Sidy and CP, IMO, and can easily open third with Champ’s non guaranteed contract. That’s another 20%, but an aggregate 40% from last season.

Plus, if they are willing they can easily move off of either or both Collins' or Johnson's contracts. Which could open up two more roster spots.

[exstatic]

Plus, if they are willing they can easily move off of either or both Collins' or Johnson's contracts. Which could open up two more roster spots.

I think cap space rental will be at a premium with the second apron no longer looming, but here, and moving off contracts will only be more difficult, not easier.

[scott]

Assuming we pick up Sochan, Bran and Blake, we'll have 4 open roster spots from just natural expirations (CP, Tre, Bassey, Mamu). Sidy and Champ 2025-26 are Non-GTD, so that is 6 spots that can be easily created without any changes.

[J_Paco]

I think cap space rental will be at a premium with the second apron no longer looming, but here, and moving off contracts will only be more difficult, not easier.

Fair point. The new CBA is sort of a clusterfuck and will really change how teams are built.


No, not really. Not all end-of-rosters are filled with low-ceiling players. A lot of teams use that space as an opportunity for boom-or-bust prospects. I'd even argue that's what these guys were at one point... I hate to pick on Sidy as an example, but I think I've seen enough of that guy to know that his best role is one on the Shanghai Sharks, not the San Antonio Spurs.

It's not even a matter of patience, it's just a matter of resource management. I don't need to see two more years of Blake Wesley to know he's probably not going to be a rotation level player in the NBA, but we'll probably get two more years of Blake Wesley. I'd rather that go to a Johnny Furphy, who may have a shot at becoming something (or who may also end up needing to go back to Australia to have a pro career).

That's the thing though, Wesley showed the organization enough to keep him around and likely exercise his 4th - year option.

People are way too quick to cast off a guy even though he did show a lot of improvement last season. I know people on here don't want to believe it, but the kid's passing and individual defense were good (otherwise he wouldn't have played in 61 games).

I don't know enough about Furphy to compare, but I doubt his ceiling is any higher than Wesley or Brahnam's coming out of college. They both went in the first-round in a much stronger draft, while Furphy is a second-round pick in what is considered a historical bad draft class.

[TD 21]

People are way too quick to cast off a guy even though he did show a lot of improvement last season. I know people on here don't want to believe it, but the kid's passing and individual defense were good (otherwise he wouldn't have played in 61 games).

It's all relative. Wesley graduated from non NBA player to replacement player.

He remains a zero offensively (he was always erratic, but predictably quickly became neutered by the genius, who tries to turn every ball handler into Stockton) and received minutes not on merit, but because they weren't trying to win, blew the 25th pick on him and right now, he's what they have to show for White.

[scott]

Fair point. The new CBA is sort of a clusterfuck and will really change how teams are built.



That's the thing though, Wesley showed the organization enough to keep him around and likely exercise his 4th - year option.

People are way too quick to cast off a guy even though he did show a lot of improvement last season. I know people on here don't want to believe it, but the kid's passing and individual defense were good (otherwise he wouldn't have played in 61 games).

I don't know enough about Furphy to compare, but I doubt his ceiling is any higher than Wesley or Brahnam's coming out of college. They both went in the first-round in a much stronger draft, while Furphy is a second-round pick in what is considered a historical bad draft class.

This is a fan message board. Criticizing front office decisions is kind of what we do.

Looks like you're missing the point on ceilings. Wesley and Bran and Furphy might all have had the same ceiling coming out of college, but we've seen enough to know that Wesley and Bran won't hit theirs. Furphy might. That's the point.

If Blake Wesley ends up being a rotation level NBA basketball player, I'll eat crow. Not going to lose sleep over that one.

[J_Paco]

It's all relative. Wesley graduated from non NBA player to replacement player.

He remains a zero offensively (he was always erratic, but predictably quickly became neutered by the genius, who tries to turn every ball handler into Stockton) and received minutes not on merit, but because they weren't trying to win, blew the 25th pick on him and right now, he's what they have to show for White.

True, he is still a porous offensive player (still can't self-create or hit spot-up shots) even if his decision making and passing improved. He is nowhere near being a primary ballhandler.

I think he's more suited for a SG role, but that is only conducive to his jumper improving a lot.

And going from an absolute trainwreck in limited minutes (as a rookie) to at least a 'replacement - level' player is still improving. I completely understand the context of his getting minutes and the team's lack of better options (completely self- inflicted).

That's exactly why signing Paul and drafting Castle should shift how they see Wesley, hopefully.


This is a fan message board. Criticizing front office decisions is kind of what we do.

Looks like you're missing the point on ceilings. Wesley and Bran and Furphy might all have had the same ceiling coming out of college, but we've seen enough to know that Wesley and Bran won't hit theirs. Furphy might. That's the point.

If Blake Wesley ends up being a rotation level NBA basketball player, I'll eat crow. Not going to lose sleep over that one.

I highly doubt Furphy will reach whatever ceiling you see for him, but that is a moot point.

My main point is that he isn't considered a 'high-ceiling' prospect that you covet, since he wasn't drafted in the first-round. A similar player - drafted out of Kansas - to him went in the first-round just last season.

And for me it isn't an either or situation since the Spurs could've drafted him and kept Wesley/Brahnam.

[scott]

True, he is still a porous offensive player (still can't self-create or hit spot-up shots) even if his decision making and passing improved. He is nowhere near being a primary ballhandler.

I think he's more suited for a SG role, but that is only conducive to his jumper improving a lot.

And going from an absolute trainwreck in limited minutes (as a rookie) to at least a 'replacement - level' player is still improving. I completely understand the context of his getting minutes and the team's lack of better options (completely self- inflicted).

That's exactly why signing Paul and drafting Castle should shift how they see Wesley, hopefully.



I highly doubt Furphy will reach whatever ceiling you see for him, but that is a moot point.

My main point is that he isn't considered a 'high-ceiling' prospect that you covet, since he wasn't drafted in the first-round. A similar player - drafted out of Kansas - to him went in the first-round just last season.

And for me it isn't an either or situation since the Spurs could've drafted him and kept Wesley/Brahnam.

Pick whatever play you want - it doesn't matter. The point is that pretty much any guy the Spurs could have taken at #35, except for maybe the guy they did take (lol) has a higher ceiling than Blake Wesley (or Sidy) does currently. What Blake's ceiling was out of college no longer matters, because he's not out of college. He's a known quantity... and that quantity is barely replacement level NBA player.

Maybe I shouldn't have said "high-ceiling" and instead said "higher-ceiling", as in higher than the players currently occupying those slots. Of those last 6 spots... Champ, Bassey and Mamu are at least useful replacement level players. The other 3 guys aren't even that.

[offset formation]

Woo-Hoo!!

Love me some Bassey.

[J_Paco]

Pick whatever play you want - it doesn't matter. The point is that pretty much any guy the Spurs could have taken at #35, except for maybe the guy they did take (lol) has a higher ceiling than Blake Wesley (or Sidy) does currently. What Blake's ceiling was out of college no longer matters, because he's not out of college. He's a known quantity... and that quantity is barely replacement level NBA player.

Maybe I shouldn't have said "high-ceiling" and instead said "higher-ceiling", as in higher than the players currently occupying those slots. Of those last 6 spots... Champ, Bassey and Mamu are at least useful replacement level players. The other 3 guys aren't even that.

Yes, they are 'known quantities' but both still have room to grow (they are both only 21 years old).

You, like most of ST, are just down on both guys and would like the team to move on. Point blank.

I doubt whoever they could have drafted makes much of a difference and you just want those guys gone. Which is fine, but the organization invested a first round pick on them, so they are staying longer than you'd like.

And obviously, hopes and expectations are definitely affecting how people feel about both. I just think most players - not named Zach Edey - are projects in today's 'one-and-done' era, so patience is necessary (even if you don't like it).

[J_Paco]

I like Bassey and wish he'd stay healthy, so the team go ahead and get off of Zach Collins' contract.

Fingers crossed he stays healthy and hasn't lost too much athletically. I'd much rather go with a platoon of Charles and Sandro then having the 'fake goon' Zach Collins around.

[ChumpDumper]

who cares about eating 2.6 mil. i have zero rooting interest in the Holt Family Trust. often times eating guaranteed money is bad business. hurts your cap situation. this isnt one of them.

as a fan, i like it when the teams i like do things that make the team better. Fultz isnt that old, just turned 26, and has been a solid player who still has room to improve.

Just weird when we already have 5 point guards on the team, 4 of which seem pretty competent.

[spurraider21]

Just weird when we already have 5 point guards on the team, 4 of which seem pretty competent.
who are the 4 competent point guards? i can count Paul, Jones, Castle (i think we are all assuming he will be competent). is Wesley really competent?

but point taken. not another point guard. there are other FAs to be had that can take Wesley's spot on the roster. or Cissoko's if you want to hold onto the first round pedigree

[DPG21920]

For me it’s not even just about having higher upside guys in spots 10-15. It’s more about having guys even if similar upside that are at least for sure good at something especially shooting. So that we can actually, even if limited minutes, have some real options to use and help lineups out situationally vs being forced to play guys with such obvious flaws and fit concerns.

[Strategic]

I’m ok with the Bassey signing, but is he going to be back on the court before December? If not, who will be in the middle to protect the rim until it’s found out whether he’s still able to play? I think the team will need to win 10 of the first 25 games to start on a good enough trajectory to offer hope for a playoff run. Yes I’m one of the idiots that think they might sneak in. Without a backup rim protector I don’t know if that’s really doable.

[AusSpur]

In a vacuum, I like Barlow more than Bassey. But for whatever reason, Barlow and Wemby didn't mesh at all.

Bassey loses $300,000 after getting waived and re-signed -- but he has to be pleased about getting fully guaranteed after his knees exploded for a third time.

Very true but I still would have preferred Barlow.

He was rapidly improving, and could have developed to point where he did fit better with Wemby.

[TD 21]

For me it’s not even just about having higher upside guys in spots 10-15. It’s more about having guys even if similar upside that are at least for sure good at something especially shooting. So that we can actually, even if limited minutes, have some real options to use and help lineups out situationally vs being forced to play guys with such obvious flaws and fit concerns.

The fact that they didn't add a single shooter (Paul and Barnes can shoot, but they're not shooters per se in terms of volume/off movement/quickness of release) is bizarre.


I’m ok with the Bassey signing, but is he going to be back on the court before December? If not, who will be in the middle to protect the rim until it’s found out whether he’s still able to play? I think the team will need to win 10 of the first 25 games to start on a good enough trajectory to offer hope for a playoff run. Yes I’m one of the idiots that think they might sneak in. Without a backup rim protector I don’t know if that’s really doable.

No one (maybe Mensah or some other similar archetype gets a two-way at least until Bassey returns, but realistically Mamukelashvili will be the de factor third center in the interim).

It's going to be '08-'11 redux, with Wembanyama in the role of Duncan.

[ismael-robert]

I’m ok with the Bassey signing, but is he going to be back on the court before December? If not, who will be in the middle to protect the rim until it’s found out whether he’s still able to play? I think the team will need to win 10 of the first 25 games to start on a good enough trajectory to offer hope for a playoff run. Yes I’m one of the idiots that think they might sneak in. Without a backup rim protector I don’t know if that’s really doable.

If not we get a better pick in great draft what's the problem

[ChumpDumper]

who are the 4 competent point guards? i can count Paul, Jones, Castle (i think we are all assuming he will be competent). is Wesley really competent?

but point taken. not another point guard. there are other FAs to be had that can take Wesley's spot on the roster. or Cissoko's if you want to hold onto the first round pedigreeI'm counting Bouyea at this point; looks like he can fill in for the mothership if needed.

As for the rest, I'm not terribly worried. Minix is penciled in to be our older, cheaper Furphy IMO (his transition from NAIA to D1 was pretty seamless) or maybe Mensah/Williams get another bite at the apple. Young players and/or reclamation projects are always out there and the Spurs seem to cycle through their two-ways until they hit.

[exstatic]

I’m ok with the Bassey signing, but is he going to be back on the court before December? If not, who will be in the middle to protect the rim until it’s found out whether he’s still able to play? I think the team will need to win 10 of the first 25 games to start on a good enough trajectory to offer hope for a playoff run. Yes I’m one of the idiots that think they might sneak in. Without a backup rim protector I don’t know if that’s really doable.

Mamu can play spot minutes as the 3rd center. Collins, of course,will be the primary backup.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Mamu can play spot minutes as the 3rd center. Collins, of course,will be the primary backup.


Colins will be gone before the season starts. I think Lauri can plan 10 to 15 minutes of backup center? Is he Better than Collins defensively?

[spurraider21]

I'm counting Bouyea at this point; looks like he can fill in for the mothership if needed.

As for the rest, I'm not terribly worried. Minix is penciled in to be our older, cheaper Furphy IMO (his transition from NAIA to D1 was pretty seamless) or maybe Mensah/Williams get another bite at the apple. Young players and/or reclamation projects are always out there and the Spurs seem to cycle through their two-ways until they hit.
think its a stretch to consider Bouyea a "competent point guard on the team."

he's on a two-way, so the commitment there is fickle at best. he has no meaningful nba production, and we're basing this on watching a handful of summer league games.

the leap from "ah he shows some nice things in summer league" to "he'd be a competent point guard for the varsity team" is quite vast

[ChumpDumper]

think its a stretch to consider Bouyea a "competent point guard on the team."

he's on a two-way, so the commitment there is fickle at best. he has no meaningful nba production, and we're basing this on watching a handful of summer league games.

the leap from "ah he shows some nice things in summer league" to "he'd be a competent point guard for the varsity team" is quite vastAnd yet, here I am.

Fine. Three competent point guards and two projects seems like plenty IMO.

Spurs seem to be way more fucked if Vassell goes down than one of the point guards.

[spurraider21]

And yet, here I am.

Fine. Three competent point guards and two projects seems like plenty IMO.
https://y.yarn.co/f2529e24-ae0b-4f62-9254-854359c5882b_text.gif

hence my willingness to upgrade the roster by ditching the more expensive of the projects

[Raven]

very happy about this.

[ChumpDumper]

https://y.yarn.co/f2529e24-ae0b-4f62-9254-854359c5882b_text.gif

hence my willingness to upgrade the roster by ditching the more expensive of the projects

Not for another point guard. That would be a waste considering the minute juggling that will be done already.

[spurraider21]

Not for another point guard. That would be a waste considering the minute juggling that will be done already.
asked and answered, crayola

but point taken. not another point guard. there are other FAs to be had that can take Wesley's spot on the roster. or Cissoko's if you want to hold onto the first round pedigree

[K...]

imho bourea is more about 2025 when paul , tre, and maybe westley are out of here. Hes a solid cheap third pg worth investing in now so that he's cheap and dependable in 2026 and beyond.

just get him into training camp now and worry about minutes later. of all our pgs bourea doesn't need minutes now, hes' a pretty finished product. he's never gonna be going against starting talent so he doesn't need to acclimate to that right away

[scott]

We’re talking about Bouyea as a future rotation player now? Have we been bad so long that we’ve lost all sight of what quality looks like?

[spurraider21]

We’re talking about Bouyea as a future rotation player now? Have we been bad so long that we’ve lost all sight of what quality looks like?
:lol tbh... 25 year old summer leaguer on a two-way is somehow part of the equation

[JPB]

We’re talking about Bouyea as a future rotation player now? Have we been bad so long that we’ve lost all sight of what quality looks like?

HOTS.

[ChumpDumper]

We’re talking about Bouyea as a future rotation player now?I don't see anyone doing that tbh. Third string.

I understand the Veruca Salt foot stamping about wanting everything now. Looks like they tried for Lauri and Ingram and felt the price was too high.

I guess you can stamp more and say "Try harder!" but it's going to be little things until the next draft barring some big trade that is worthy of some/many future picks.

[Raven]

imho bourea is more about 2025 when paul , tre, and maybe westley are out of here. Hes a solid cheap third pg worth investing in now so that he's cheap and dependable in 2026 and beyond.

just get him into training camp now and worry about minutes later. of all our pgs bourea doesn't need minutes now, hes' a pretty finished product. he's never gonna be going against starting talent so he doesn't need to acclimate to that right away

decent troll tbh

[The Truth #6]

After landing VW I've lost the interest in pining for second rounders and SL guys to do anything. I'm still hoping for some of our FRPs to make a leap. Summer League players have a near impossible task to get real minutes, especially now that outright tanking is gradually being deprioritozed, I think. Having said that, we need quality role players wherever we can get them.

[exstatic]

I don't see anyone doing that tbh. Third string.

I understand the Veruca Salt foot stamping about wanting everything now. Looks like they tried for Lauri and Ingram and felt the price was too high.

I guess you can stamp more and say "Try harder!" but it's going to be little things until the next draft barring some big trade that is worthy of some/many future picks.

:lol Perfect description of ST. A+ post.