Looking at the San Antonio Spurs’ current roster, it’s fair to argue that their biggest drawback is a lack of depth at the big man position. The club has not moved Zach Collins, something many supporters believed would happen this summer to enhance the roster. They also brought back Sandro Mamukelashvili and Charles Bassey, and while their resignations assist the situation, they do not fix it.
The Spurs are currently in a key phase of their reconstruction, and replenishing the roster with the correct components will take time. Bringing Bassey back for $2.2 million is a solid method to improve an area of need at a low cost, but there is one item in the big man’s deal that will assist him and San Antonio reach where they want to go.
Bassey renounced a no-trade provision for the Spurs in his new contract.
When players re-sign with their teams for one or two years, a no-trade provision is sometimes included in the contract structure. Bassey renounced this provision when he agreed to terms with the Silver and Black. Every transaction the Spurs have made recently appears to have been crafted by Lady Luck, since the terms invariably benefit the organization.
Bassey has had several injuries during his brief professional career. It has lowered his worth, and he needs to raise it. Signing this agreement allows him to demonstrate that he is healthy and capable of contributing to an NBA team on a consistent basis. On December 15, he will be eligible for trading.
The Spurs play Victor Wembanyama at center and Jeremy Sochan at power forward, which reduces the need for too many big men. With Collins and Mamu still on the roster, Bassey is unlikely to play significant minutes. At the end of the day, he has the opportunity to advance to a position where he can contribute more and earn a larger deal in the future; in the meanwhile, San Antonio gains a potentially significant trade asset to deploy midseason after determining what the next move should be.
It’s a win-win for both sides, with no negative consequences for either. Even if a trade does not materialize, the contract is just for one year, allowing everyone to go on after the season.
