Mar 4, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA;
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) boxes out during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports
The Spurs have plenty more regular season games but no chance of making the playoffs and can already focus on trimming the fat from their roster.
There are still several weeks left in the NBA season but the San Antonio Spurs have already been eliminated from playoff contention. That’s all part of the plan for a season focused on internal development and maximizing their odds of landing the No. 1 pick which, at present, are looking pretty good.
Over the rest of the regular season, the Spurs will be evaluating the young players on their roster and plotting out the next phase of their rebuild. But they have probably already seen enough to know that these three players won’t be with the team next year.
Which San Antonio Spurs won’t be back next year?
3. Sandro Mamukelashvili
Mamukelashvili was signed by the Spurs at the beginning of March with his two-way contract converted into a regular deal to finish the year. He’s appeared in two games so far, for a total of 33 minutes and has made an impact with his shooting — knocking in 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
A near 7-footer who can hit outside shots is a valuable commodity but he was just 7-of-23 from beyond the arc to start the season, part of the reason he was released by the Bucks. He’s also picked up eight fouls in his first 33 minutes with the Spurs — a rate of 8.7 per 36 minutes — and hasn’t shown much else that would secure a roster spot down the road.
He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and it’s possible the Spurs may take a flyer on him next year but there may be some much more appealing young, low-cost bigs for them to add instead.