It has been a busy offseason for the Spurs. Despite not making any high-profile moves, there has been significant roster turnover thanks to small trades, the draft, and free agency. The additions of Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk and, potentially, Lindy Waters III have reshaped the team.
To make those additions possible, there have been some exits. From players who filled major roles to bench-warmers, San Antonio parted ways with several guys who were on the roster at the end
of last season. Here’s where those players landed and how their future looks.
Chris Paul is back with the Clippers to end his career
Paul joined the Spurs on a one-year deal in the summer of 2024, with a promise to get playing time and a significant role. He got what he wanted, starting all 82 games and logging the most minutes on the team. Paul was not a star anymore, but helped San Antonio by organizing the offense and providing outside shooting. Yet it was obvious he wasn’t going to return.
Throughout the year, Paul made it clear that the decision to be away from his family, located in Los Angeles, was tough on him. The Spurs also landed De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline and drafted Dylan Harper, which meant Paul’s role would have been reduced significantly had he stayed. After entering free agency, he signed for the minimum with the Clippers, a franchise he’s familiar with after spending six years there earlier in his career.
Paul, who hasn’t ruled out playing past the 2025/26 season, joined James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard and other veterans on a very deep Clippers team. He likely won’t have a big role, but he will get to spend potentially his last season in the league close to his family and on a team that has a puncher’s chance of getting to the West Finals.
Blake Wesley will fight for minutes in Portland
Wesley was traded alongside Malaki Branham to the Wizards for Kelly Olynyk. Washington seemed like a good place for him, since the only point guard on the roster at this point is Bub Carrington, but he agreed to a buyout. Soon after being waived, he signed a one-year guaranteed minimum deal with the Trail Blazers, where minutes could be harder to come by but where he fits the style of play of a defensive-minded Portland team.
The Blazers have Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday at point guard. They need shooting more than anything, and while Wesley showed some improvement in that area late last season, that’s not his strength. He should, however, be able to fit in nicely on defense on a team that should be among the best in the league. If Holiday spends time at the wing, which is a real possibility, there might be minutes for Wesley, who is still just 22 years old and could have a long career if he puts his considerable physical skills to good use.
Sandro Mamukelashvili will try to find a permanent home in Toronto
Mamukelashvili, a fan favorite who never fully cracked the rotation, and the Spurs parted ways. The Raptors signed him to a two-year minimum contract that includes a player option, and considering the lack of big men on the roster, Mamu might get an opportunity to showcase his skills. There’s no traditional center behind Jakob Poeltl, and coach Darko Rajakovich cycled through stretch bigs as backups last season, including current Spur Kelly Olynyk. If the 26-year-old Georgian forward can beat Collin Castleton, he could have a real crack at minutes.
The Raptors are a strange team filled with too many forwards, but they could compete for a play-in spot in the weaker East. Toronto seems like a good place to be for Mamu, who has turned down offers from Europe in the past in hopes of making it in the NBA. Hopefully, he’ll find the playing time he craves.
Malaki Branham will have a lot of competition in Washington
While Wesley didn’t stay with the Wizards, Branham is still on the roster, at least for now. There are some good mentors for him there in C.J. McCollum and Khris Middleton, but it might be hard for him to crack the rotation at his ideal position. McCollum, Keyshawn George, Korey Kispert, Cam Whitmore, AJ Johnson, and Justin Champagnie, if he stays, should all fight for minutes at the shooting guard and small forward spots.
Branham has the scoring talent to carve a spot for himself in the rotation, but he’ll need to prove that his improvement from beyond the arc last season was real and will need to bring more effort on the defensive end. Like Wesley, Branham is just 22 years old, and he has talent. He’ll need an opportunity to prove his worth, and he could get it if he has a strong training camp and the injury-prone veterans get hurt.
Charles Bassey is likely headed overseas
Bassey couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities he had with the Spurs in what ended up being an injury-riddled stint with the club. Heading into free agency, he chose to be a last-minute addition to the Celtics’ Summer League team and had strong performances in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, his production in exhibition games might not be enough to keep him in the NBA.
Partizan Belgrade, a Serbian team, is reportedly his top priority, but other European teams are also interested, according to his agent. Now, there’s some confusion about the situation because the agent making these claims is not the same agent that Bassey had in recent years, but it’s possible he changed representatives. The reports make sense, however, as Bassey could likely make more guaranteed money and have a bigger role overseas.
Bismack Biyombo remains unsigned
Biyombo didn’t start last season on an NBA roster and had to wait for a call from the desperate Spurs, in need of big man depth due to injuries and trades. To his credit, he had some solid performances despite being asked to start, a role he can’t really fill for a competitive team. The 32-year-old veteran center was a good rebounder and passable defender in San Antonio. Alas, it seems like it might not be enough to get him a spot on a team, as he remains unsigned.
Biyombo was patient last season, remaining free in hopes of getting an opportunity in the NBA, and could do the same if he doesn’t get a training camp offer. If he wants to make sure he plays a full season, he could probably get a good gig in Europe, since he’s a high-character player who can still provide some good minutes in the paint on both ends.
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