Not every player is meant to be a key player, that doesn't mean they lack value. Such is seen with San Antonio Spurs big man Sandro Mamukelashvili.
It's even tougher on a team with as much young talent as the. There are no minutes wasted for a team that is trying to develop its young talent to be competitive in future years. Being so young and talented as a team creates one of the best problems you can have in the NBA: having too many mouths to feed.
While Sandro Mamukelashvili didn't get a bulk of minutes for the Spurs this season, when given the chance, he showed his ability to produce. In the last nine games of the season, Mamukelashvili saw an increase in both usage and production, scoring 10 or more points seven times. He also grabbed 8 or more rebounds on six different occasions, proving his ability to affect the game in multiple ways.
Mamukelashvili also played a big part in the Spurs' late season upset of the Denver Nuggets. He put 21 points and 12 rebounds together, giving him his second double-double of the season. The Spurs went on to win that game by one point, largely due to Mamukelashvili's play.Mamukelashvili will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning that the Spurs will have a chance to match any offer given to the 25-year-old forward from Seton Hall.
The Spurs have multiple guys that stand in similar spots as Mamukelashvili this offseason. Young players like Dominik Barlow, Julian Champagnie, David Duke Jr. and more have shown that production with increased usage. The issue is that you can't afford to pay everyone.
Regardless of what the Spurs decide to do, Mamukelashvili has already capitalized on his opportunity. He is now almost guaranteed another NBA contract, wether that comes with the Spurs or with another team willing to roll the dice.Austin is a sports journalist from Kansas City, Mo. He is a freshman at The University of Missouri-Columbia, pursuing a degree in sports journalism.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Spurs Season-In-Review: Cedi Osman's Future Unclear, But Feasible In San AntonioCedi Osman was brought in by the San Antonio Spurs to serve a complementary role, and after 72 appearances, he did that. Now, the question remains whether or not he's a prime candidate for sticking around.
Read more »
Did San Antonio Spurs' Late-Season Victory Over Denver Nuggets Affect Playoffs?In a game the Denver Nuggets were heavily favored to win, the San Antonio Spurs made sure to give their fans a show, knocking off the defending champions and knocking them out of sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Read more »
San Antonio's 2024 tourism outlook promising, says Visit San Antonio CMOSAN ANTONIO - The tourism outlook for San Antonio in 2024 appears robust, according to Visit San Antonio officials who presented to the Economic Workforce Devel
Read more »
The Rustic at The Rim closes without notice, set to relocate due to ongoing constructionSAN ANTONIO - A resturaunt and Bar beloved by many across San Antonio has closed its doors
Read more »
The San Antonio Minute: What Can Spurs Learn From NBA Champion Boston Celtics?The Boston Celtics overcame adversity of their own en route to an 18th NBA championship, so what can the San Antonio Spurs take away from this year's winners?
Read more »
Ex-San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White wins championship, loses toothSan Antonio sports fans were quick to congratulate former Spurs guard Derrick White on winning the 2024 NBA Championship as part of the Boston Celtics. White's new team beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 at the TD Garden Monday night.
Read more »