Spurs Third-String Center Discussion

[ChrisC21209]

Yeah Biyombo looks pretty cooked. He was serviceable last year but this year in his spot minutes he hasn’t been very good. I’d kill for a guy like Drummond to take his spot.

 

[Vienna]

It's time to make a decision for Spurs:
If Biyombo isn't waived by January 7th, his contract will become guaranteed for the rest of the season. Same is true for Waters.

Since Biyombo is currently Spurs' fifth string center behind Wembanyama, Kornet, Olynyk and Sochan, Spurs might waive him and not replace him with a center.

A possible scenario is Spurs waiving Biyombo and letting the 15th roster spot open until the February trade deadline. Spurs are right now $5.7M below the tax and if they waive Biyombo without replacing him, they will be $6.9M below the tax. Spurs might want to keep that flexibility for a potential trade at the deadline involving Sochan/Olynyk/McLaughlin/Waters that will raise their team salary.

That's why I was looking at the Sixers. I understand they are some 7 million over the threshold. And it was reported, that they will be very acitve to somehow get under it. I would be interested in either Watford and Drummond, unlikely they trade both, but each one would fill a need. I'm sure there are plenty of scenarios for trades that help both teams, especially if a 3rd team is involved for salary issues. 2nd rounders should get such deals going.

 

[Robz4000]

Spurs prolly don't waive Biyombo since he could also be included as salary ballast in a trade tbh. That being said, as much as they obviously need a trade to seriously contend I think they view Biyombo as too important to the locker room this season to move on from him unfortunately. That said, they don't need to trade/waive him to improve the roster imo.

 

[Robz4000]

Prediction:

They dump Sochan for a protected first and sign someone off the buyout market.

 

[John B]

Prediction:

They dump Sochan for a protected first and sign someone off the buyout market.

Besides Samanic and Primo, I don’t remember a Spurs high draft pick getting waived. Unless Sochan is an ass in the locker room. Sochan seemed to be a good soldier whatever position they wanted him to play, altering his free throw, etc. I doubt they just dump him without getting him in a more preferable situation to continue his career

 

[Robz4000]

Besides Samanic and Primo, I don’t remember a Spurs high draft pick getting waived. Unless Sochan is an ass in the locker room. Sochan seemed to be a good soldier whatever position they wanted him to play, altering his free throw, etc. I doubt they just dump him without getting him in a more preferable situation to continue his career

They won't dump him into a garbage situation imo, but I could see him end up on a team like Toronto with a need for a defensive-minded Forward. Sending him out for a future protected first makes sense for both sides.

 

[Ariel]

They won't dump him into a garbage situation imo, but I could see him end up on a team like Toronto with a need for a defensive-minded Forward. Sending him out for a future protected first makes sense for both sides.

Toronto has Scottie Barnes, Ingram, CMB, Mogbo... I don't think they need another non shooting PF at all. I very much doubt Sochan has protected first value at this point, he's out of the rotation and about to be a RFA... I'd say a couple of seconds is more realistic, hopefully he can be moved in a larger package for a starting forward, or alone for another distressed asset the Spurs could use (Jarace Walker, Keon Ellis, etc).

 

[k....]

Besides Samanic and Primo, I don’t remember a Spurs high draft pick getting waived. Unless Sochan is an ass in the locker room. Sochan seemed to be a good soldier whatever position they wanted him to play, altering his free throw, etc. I doubt they just dump him without getting him in a more preferable situation to continue his career

you don't remember it happening cuz the combo of high draft picks and expected playoff push have not happened since 1992 son. if we were tanking sochan would be playing as would wesley and branham and biyombo.

 

[Uncle Oscar]

It's time to make a decision for Spurs:
If Biyombo isn't waived by January 7th, his contract will become guaranteed for the rest of the season. Same is true for Waters.

Since Biyombo is currently Spurs' fifth string center behind Wembanyama, Kornet, Olynyk and Sochan, Spurs might waive him and not replace him with a center.

A possible scenario is Spurs waiving Biyombo and letting the 15th roster spot open until the February trade deadline. Spurs are right now $5.7M below the tax and if they waive Biyombo without replacing him, they will be $6.9M below the tax. Spurs might want to keep that flexibility for a potential trade at the deadline involving Sochan/Olynyk/McLaughlin/Waters that will raise their team salary.

Isn't Waters contract the same in that it's guaranteed after January 7th?

 

[Bruno]

Isn't Waters contract the same in that it's guaranteed after January 7th?

Waters and Biyombo are in the same exact contract situation.

 

[ginobilized]

I truly wonder why RC Buford was at the Austin Spurs game on Friday. DJG, Umude and Bassey were playing. My gut says he was there for Bassey. @scott's boy looked incredible, btw. DJG and Bassey were spectacular and Umude was solid. I don't think Bassey can have too many more games like that without getting a call-up from someone.
Maybe something, maybe nothing.

 

[onechance87]

I truly wonder why RC Buford was at the Austin Spurs game on Friday. DJG, Umude and Bassey were playing. My gut says he was there for Bassey. @scott's boy looked incredible, btw. DJG and Bassey were spectacular and Umude was solid. I don't think Bassey can have too many more games like that without getting a call-up from someone.
Maybe something, maybe nothing.

Not sure why mitch played mind games with bassey last year.Bassey could have really good games back to back,Then all of a sudden
mitch woud not play him or only gave him a few mins after.Hate when coaches do that shit.

 

[scott]

I truly wonder why RC Buford was at the Austin Spurs game on Friday. DJG, Umude and Bassey were playing. My gut says he was there for Bassey. @scott's boy looked incredible, btw. DJG and Bassey were spectacular and Umude was solid. I don't think Bassey can have too many more games like that without getting a call-up from someone.
Maybe something, maybe nothing.

prayingdog.gif

 

[scott]

Not sure why mitch played mind games with bassey last year.Bassey could have really good games back to back,Then all of a sudden
mitch woud not play him or only gave him a few mins after.Hate when coaches do that shit.

Bassey is my guy, but I'll be honest he looks lost at time and that can't be ignored. He's an awesome rebounder and rim protector, but he never seemed to look like he fully understood where to be on offense and he definitely got lost at times on defense. I could see how a coach would see things that perhaps we aren't noticing and be extremely frustrated with a player.

On offense, I'd notice that Bassey only really knew how to PnR. He sets decent screens and it seems like when he roles he is ALWAYS expecting the pass. It's good he was ready for that, but dude... you're a third string C, not the center of the offense lol. ANd sometimes he rolled right into the play, blowing it up for our own team. Just a lack of awareness that I comes from a lack of experience (a lot of that due to injury).

I'm glad he is blowing it up in G-League. He's made some good money so far in his career and he can bounce in an out of the league for awhile and still make some more money. I hope he does land on with someone for a Bismack-like career, and I hope it is with us... but I think that's kind of his ceiling.

 

[DTW]

I truly wonder why RC Buford was at the Austin Spurs game on Friday. DJG, Umude and Bassey were playing. My gut says he was there for Bassey. @scott's boy looked incredible, btw. DJG and Bassey were spectacular and Umude was solid. I don't think Bassey can have too many more games like that without getting a call-up from someone.
Maybe something, maybe nothing.

With Vassell likely out 2-4 weeks, the dire need for 3 and D wings and Waters underwhelming, I wonder if Umude gets a look at some point.