San Antonio resigning Bassey and Mamu is a major relief for Spurs fans
![Sandro Mamukelashvili Sandro Mamukelashvili](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4800,h_2700,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/29/01j2yz3he13ja2t49bpp.jpg)
Brian Wright continues to make smart moves for the San Antonio Spurs roster, shaping the team to build off the momentum gained by the end of last season. He's enhanced the roster with the addition of rookie UConn standout Stephon Castle and a couple of tenured veterans who bring a wealth of experience: Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes. While the team has a plethora of guards on the team now, they needed to solidify the big man rotation, and now that's been taken care of.
The Spurs resigned Charles Bassey and Sandro Mamukelashvili each to a one-year, 2.2 million-dollar deal. Spurs fans will be excited about the news, especially for Mamu, who everyone hoped would receive more playing time last season. Unfortunately, he didn't get enough to satisfy anyone who expected to see the Georgian-American from New York on the court, but a new opportunity has risen to right that wrong.
The moves are extremely low-risk for San Antonio
Charles Bassey will have to prove that he can stay on the court. He's suffered season-ending injuries in his last two seasons, but he's a big body and he will defend the rim with energy. It's because of those injuries that San Antonio could resign him for such a low number, and the Spurs need to have a player on the roster besides Victor Wembanyama who will challenge shots viciously—he fits the bill.
Mamu started getting more playing time with Wemby at the end of the season. When they were on the floor together, there was an obvious advantage to the pairing. Because of their history in European leagues, they see the game similarly and play well together. It would have been criminal not to give Sandro another shot at the team with expanded minutes.
The deals being so cheap means there is virtually no risk for the Spurs while giving them more assets to use if need be. They could choose to move either player at the trade deadline, if they deem it necessary, and get something back instead of losing them for free. If they can carve out a long-term role, that would be great, and they can work something out with the front office. But even if that doesn't happen and San Antonio lets them walk at the end of the year, no harm done, making this a smart move.