It has been a busy offseason for the Spurs. Regardless of not making any high-profile strikes, there was vital roster turnover because of small trades, the draft, and free company. The additions of Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk and, doubtlessly, Lindy Waters III have reshaped the workforce.
To make these additions potential, there have been some exits. From gamers who crammed main roles to bench-warmers, San Antonio parted methods with a number of guys who had been on the roster on the finish of final season. Right here’s the place these gamers landed and the way their future seems.
Chris Paul is again with the Clippers to finish his profession
Paul joined the Spurs on a one-year deal in the summertime of 2024, with a promise to get enjoying time and a major position. He obtained what he wished, beginning all 82 video games and logging essentially the most minutes on the workforce. Paul was not a star anymore, however helped San Antonio by organizing the offense and offering outdoors taking pictures. But it was apparent he wasn’t going to return.
All year long, Paul made it clear that the choice to be away from his household, positioned in Los Angeles, was powerful on him. The Spurs additionally landed De’Aaron Fox on the commerce deadline and drafted Dylan Harper, which meant Paul’s position would have been decreased considerably had he stayed. After coming into free company, he signed for the minimal with the Clippers, a franchise he’s aware of after spending six years there earlier in his profession.
Paul, who hasn’t dominated out enjoying previous the 2025/26 season, joined James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard and different veterans on a really deep Clippers workforce. He doubtless received’t have a giant position, however he’ll get to spend doubtlessly his final season within the league near his household and on a workforce that has a puncher’s likelihood of attending to the West Finals.
Blake Wesley will struggle for minutes in Portland
Wesley was traded alongside Malaki Branham to the Wizards for Kelly Olynyk. Washington appeared like place for him, because the solely level guard on the roster at this level is Bub Carrington, however he agreed to a buyout. Quickly after being waived, he signed a one-year assured minimal cope with the Path Blazers, the place minutes may very well be more durable to come back by however the place he suits the fashion of play of a defensive-minded Portland workforce.
The Blazers have Scoot Henderson and Jrue Vacation at level guard. They want taking pictures greater than something, and whereas Wesley confirmed some enchancment in that space late final season, that’s not his power. He ought to, nevertheless, have the ability to slot in properly on protection on a workforce that must be among the many greatest within the league. If Vacation spends time on the wing, which is an actual risk, there is likely to be minutes for Wesley, who remains to be simply 22 years previous and will have an extended profession if he places his appreciable bodily abilities to good use.
Sandro Mamukelashvili will attempt to discover a everlasting house in Toronto
Mamukelashvili, a fan favourite who by no means totally cracked the rotation, and the Spurs parted methods. The Raptors signed him to a two-year minimal contract that features a participant possibility, and contemplating the shortage of massive males on the roster, Mamu may get a possibility to showcase his abilities. There’s no conventional heart behind Jakob Poeltl, and coach Darko Rajakovich cycled by means of stretch bigs as backups final season, together with present Spur Kelly Olynyk. If the 26-year-old Georgian ahead can beat Collin Castleton, he may have an actual crack at minutes.
The Raptors are an odd workforce full of too many forwards, however they might compete for a play-in spot within the weaker East. Toronto looks as if place to be for Mamu, who has turned down gives from Europe previously in hopes of constructing it within the NBA. Hopefully, he’ll discover the enjoying time he craves.
Malaki Branham may have a whole lot of competitors in Washington
Whereas Wesley didn’t stick with the Wizards, Branham remains to be on the roster, at the least for now. There are some good mentors for him there in C.J. McCollum and Khris Middleton, however it is likely to be laborious for him to crack the rotation at his best place. McCollum, Keyshawn George, Korey Kispert, Cam Whitmore, AJ Johnson, and Justin Champagnie, if he stays, ought to all struggle for minutes on the taking pictures guard and small ahead spots.
Branham has the scoring expertise to carve a spot for himself within the rotation, however he’ll have to show that his enchancment from past the arc final season was actual and might want to convey extra effort on the defensive finish. Like Wesley, Branham is simply 22 years previous, and he has expertise. He’ll want a possibility to show his value, and he may get it if he has a powerful coaching camp and the injury-prone veterans get damage.
Charles Bassey is probably going headed abroad
Bassey couldn’t make the most of the alternatives he had with the Spurs in what ended up being an injury-riddled stint with the membership. Heading into free company, he selected to be a last-minute addition to the Celtics’ Summer time League workforce and had sturdy performances in Las Vegas. Sadly, his manufacturing in exhibition video games may not be sufficient to maintain him within the NBA.
Partizan Belgrade, a Serbian workforce, is reportedly his prime precedence, however different European groups are additionally , in accordance with his agent. Now, there’s some confusion in regards to the state of affairs as a result of the agent making these claims just isn’t the identical agent that Bassey had lately, however it’s potential he modified representatives. The experiences make sense, nevertheless, as Bassey may doubtless make extra assured cash and have a much bigger position abroad.
Bismack Biyombo stays unsigned
Biyombo didn’t begin final season on an NBA roster and needed to look ahead to a name from the determined Spurs, in want of massive man depth attributable to accidents and trades. To his credit score, he had some strong performances regardless of being requested to begin, a task he can’t actually fill for a aggressive workforce. The 32-year-old veteran heart was rebounder and satisfactory defender in San Antonio. Alas, it looks as if it may not be sufficient to get him a spot on a workforce, as he stays unsigned.
Biyombo was affected person final season, remaining free in hopes of getting a possibility within the NBA, and will do the identical if he doesn’t get a coaching camp provide. If he desires to verify he performs a full season, he may in all probability get gig in Europe, since he’s a high-character participant who can nonetheless present some good minutes within the paint on each ends.
