San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES?
A player-by-player analysis of the Spurs’ roster heading into the offseason, excluding three players on two-way contracts:
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, C
Age: 20
Contract: Three years, $43 million
Outlook: Wembanyama arrived as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft amid generational levels of hype and somehow exceeded it all. After one of the best rookie seasons in league history, it is a safe bet he makes the team again next fall.
DEVIN VASSELL, G Age: 23
Contract: Four years, $108
million
Outlook: Vassell took palpable steps forward in his first full season as a go-to scorer, averaging a career-high 19.5 points on a career-best 47.2% shooting. A lucrative contract extension kicks in for Vassell next season, so the Spurs will expect to see continued growth.
KELDON JOHNSON, F Age: 24
Contract: Three years, $54
million
Outlook: The Spurs’ longest tenured player in his fifth season with the team, Johnson proved a good soldier after being asked to move to the bench in December. He will likely continue in that role moving forward, though he could eventually become a trade target down the road.
JEREMY SOCHAN, F Age: 20
Contract: Two years, $12.6
million
Outlook: An ill-fated move to point guard to start the season set Sochan back a bit, but when
he returned to his natural position of power forward in November he seemed much more comfortable. Sochan showed himself to be a capable all-over-the-floor defender, but will need to revamp his perimeter shot to unlock his full potential.
TRE JONES
Age: 24
Contract: One year, $9.1 million Outlook: Jones proved to be the Spurs’ best option at point guard this season, even as the coaching staff explored other choices to open the season. The front office might look for an upgrade again this summer, but Jones remains the point guard of the future for now.
ZACH COLLINS, C Age: 26
Contract: Two years, $34.8
million
Outlook: After signing a two-year extension in October, Collins never fully found his footing in his third season with Spurs. A torn labrum suffered in the season finale will put a pause in any summertime development plans, after which Collins hopes
to continue as a solid backup to Wembanyama.
JULIAN CHAMPAGNIE, F
Age: 22
Contract: Three years, $9 million (non-guaranteed)
Outlook: Undrafted coming out of college in 2022, Champagnie started 59 games in his second NBA season and came on strong down the stretch in April. Still, Champagnie’s deal for next season is non-guaranteed and the Spurs could explore upgrades at his position over the summer.
MALAKI BRANHAM, G Age: 20
Contract: Two years, $8.2
million
Outlook: Branham did not make the second-year leap many expected, seeing a slight dip in scoring and shooting percentage. His 3-point accuracy improved dramatically, however, and the Spurs will look for a bounce-back from the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft.
BLAKE WESLEY, G
Age: 21
Contract: Two years, $7.35 million
Outlook: After beginning his second professional season in the G League, Wesley eventually cracked the Spurs’ rotation in January. An A-plus athlete,
Wesley showed strides as a defender and decision-maker at point guard. The former Notre Dame product will need to hone his jump shot to become a mainstay.
CEDI OSMAN, F
Age: 29
Contract: Unrestricted free
agent
Outlook: Obtained via trade with Cleveland last summer, Osman became the team’s elder statesman in February when Doug McDermott was dealt to Indiana. Osman led the Spurs in 3-point shooting (38.9%) and has expressed interest in returning. Much will depend on other moves the Spurs make or don’t make this summer.
DEVONTE’ GRAHAM, G Age: 29
Contract: One year, $12.65
million
Outlook: Graham was an afterthought for most of the season, and would probably be well served to find greener pastures this summer. Only $2.9 million of his deal is guaranteed next season, making Graham easily cuttable. The Spurs might choose to keep Graham around, however, in order to use the full value of his contract in future trades. Either way, he will always have his game-winning shot to beat Denver earlier this month.
SANDRO
MAMUKELASHVILI, F
Age: 24
Contract: Restricted free agent Outlook: After spending most of the season tethered to the bench, “Mamu” was unleashed in April and became a fan and team favorite with his hard and heady play. The Spurs have the right to match outside offers Mamukelashvili receives in free agency, and will have some interest in bringing him back.
DOMINICK BARLOW, F
Age: 20
Contract: Restricted free agent Outlook: Barlow played well enough in his second NBA season to have his two-way contract converted to a full deal in March. Still something of a project after going undrafted out of Overtime Elite in 2022, Barlow’s development nevertheless has been cause for excitement among Spurs decision-makers.
SIDY CISSOKO, F
Age: 20
Contract: Two years, $4.1 million
Outlook: The other French teenager the Spurs drafted last summer, Cissoko spent most of his rookie season running amok in the G League. The Spurs see great promise in Cissoko’s blend of athleticism and build (6-7, 225 pounds). He will have a shot to make an NBA impact next season.
CHARLES BASSEY, C
Age: 23
Contract: Two years, $5 million (non-guaranteed)
Outlook: A torn ACL ended Bassey’s season early in December, scuttling what was expected to be a significant year of development for him. With no guaranteed money on the books going forward, Bassey will need to make next year’s roster out of training camp, assuming he is healthy enough to do so.