By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Logging 45 appearances and averaging 9.4 minutes per contest, the 2023-24 campaign with the San Antonio Spurs was not ideal for Sandro Mamukelashvili. Becoming a free agent at the end of a one-year contract signed in July creates uncertainty for the Georgian forward/center.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I love being here,” mentioned Mamu after the home win against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, relays Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News, “I love being around the guys, connecting with them, learning, growing. I’m looking forward to the future and if it’s here, I’ll be very happy.”
Mamukelashvili, 24, joined the Spurs last March, after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. Down the stretch of the 2022-23 Regular Season, he played in 19 games. Averaging 5.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game describes his spell with the Spurs, reduced to 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest specifically in the 2023-24 Regular Season. Behind increased playing time over the last seven games, he is up to 10.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest.
Wrapping up the 82-game schedule, the Spurs host the Detroit Pistons in Frost Bank Center in the regular-season finale edition of NBA Sundays. Mamukelashvili is projected to play, but French prodigy and leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year award Victor Wembanyama is listed as out due to right ankle injury management. Additional sidelined players include Turkish Cedi Osman (right ankle sprain) and Polish Jeremy Sochan (left ankle impingement).