Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2023-24 participant opinions! The sequence will take a look at the 15 gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts (so no two-way gamers as a result of we noticed so little of them this 12 months, and no Doug McDermott). Take pleasure in!
Cedi Osman
2023-24 stats: 72 video games, 6.8 factors, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 38.9 3FG%
Contract Standing: Unrestricted free agent (chook rights)
Age: 29
Despite the fact that he came upon about it through social media, Cedi Osman was glad to be taught he had been traded to the San Antonio Spurs final summer season. He arrived as a part of a three-team commerce that additionally introduced Lamar Stevens (who was later waived), with the one price to the Spurs being money issues a future second spherical decide. As a popular veteran who can shoot from the skin and a brand new addition to the Overseas Legion 2.0, Osman instantly felt like an ideal match with the Spurs. It solely helped that Cavs followers had nothing however good issues to say about him.
Regardless of being an identical expertise to Doug McDermott, he maintained a task all through the season as an offensive sparkplug off the bench. He hit his threes at a career-high price for a workforce that struggled mightily in that space all season, and he was always transferring off the ball to assist create offense for a second unit that might develop stagnant at occasions. Though his general numbers have been his lowest since his rookie season, that may principally be chalked as much as taking part in fewer minutes, however he was simply as environment friendly as ever.
He might by no means be far more than bench scorer and is simply too restricted on protection to begin for a postseason contender, however he’s the kind of skilled each workforce wants on its bench. The Spurs have been glad to have him, and he was glad to be right here. What extra may they ask from him?
Wanting ahead
“Veteran presence who can shoot” continues to be a sort of position participant the Spurs want, and which will or might not proceed to be Osman going ahead. With McDermott already gone and Devonte’ Graham a candidate to be waived or traded if the Spurs want a roster spot, they may re-sign Osman for comparatively low cost whereas sustaining a participant who’s beloved by the younger core and is aware of the system. He seemingly gained’t demand a excessive worth, and since the Spurs have his chook rights, they will signal him first for underneath his cap maintain of about $12.6 million to protect cap house.
They’d most likely like to have Osman again (on the proper worth), however the query might come all the way down to if Osman needs a bigger position. Considerably surprisingly, his minutes truly went down after the Spurs traded McDermott when you might have anticipated them to go up. After averaging a profession excessive 32 minutes per sport within the 2018-19 season with Cleveland, that quantity has trickled down every year since to simply 17.6 minutes this season — his lowest since his rookie season. Osman did say that he cherished his time with the Cavs however felt it was time to maneuver on, and that might have been associated to his ever-shrinking position there. Will he proceed settle for much less minutes right here, or will he search extra taking part in time elsewhere?
The Spurs are most likely one of many few groups that may supply him each a rotation spot and a probably vivid future, however the query can be if 15-20 minutes per sport is sufficient for him. It could be tougher for him to search out minutes on a workforce that’s already successful, so that’s one thing he must contemplate. Odds are the Spurs are able to work to deliver Osman again, and it’ll simply come all the way down to what he actually needs.
Prime efficiency
Jan. 29 vs. Wizards: 20 factors, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4-6 from three
Remaining Grade: B+
Up Subsequent: Julian Champagnie
Earlier Critiques
Sidy Cissoko
Charles Bassey
Devonte’ Graham
Dominick Barlow
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Blake Wesley
