Spurs make an intriguing $2.2 million decision on former Big East star
With the top free agents off the market, the San Antonio Spurs have been looking for bargains in recent days. Their hunt paid off, as they were able to re-sign Georgian-American attacker Sandro Mamukelashvili and another seasoned reserve.
Mamukelashvili will return to San Antonio on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“Free agent F Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed on a one-year, $2.2 million deal to return to the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN,” according to Wojnarowski. “George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports confirmed the deal.”
Mamukelashvili averaged 4.1 points per game on 47.1% shooting, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 9.8 minutes last season. The Seton Hall alum saw more playing time later in the season as the Spurs’ ailments mounted, demonstrating synergy with franchise star Victor Wembanyama.
The team has also re-signed center Charles Bassey, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“Sources: The San Antonio Spurs are re-signing center Charles Bassey to a fully guaranteed one-year, $2.2 million contract,” Charania said. “Deal was negotiated by Young Money APAA CEO Adie von Gontard and agent Daveed Cohen.
Bassey has been in San Antonio the past two seasons. previous season, the 23-year-old averaged 3.3 points on 72.5% shooting, four rebounds, and 1.1 assists, but has been hindered by knee issues for the previous few years
“The Spurs had renounced Mamu’s rights and Bassey’s non-guaranteed contract to make room for the Harrison Barnes trade,” Dubinski told the media. “By returning on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, the Spurs still stay on their reported one-year timeline as they look forward to 2025’s much deeper free agency class.”
Barnes joined the team after signing a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings, which sent DeMar DeRozan to Sacramento. By releasing Mamu and Bassey and bringing them back on minimal contracts, the Spurs have effectively managed the salary cap to accommodate Barnes and fellow recruit Chris Paul.
If San Antonio makes another step forward next season, they may be able to persuade one of the club’s many quality 2025 free agents to accept a max contract and join forces with “Wemby.” Some of the candidates are Lauri Markkanen, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle.
