2023-24 Spurs Player Reviews: Sandro Mamukelashvili
29/04/2024 15:00
A fan favorite might have played his way into a new contract.
Welcome to Pounding the Rock's 2023-24 player reviews! The series will look at the 15 players who finished the season with the San Antonio Spurs on guaranteed contracts (so no two-way players because we saw so little of them this year, and no Doug McDermott). Enjoy!
Sandro Mamukelashvili
2023-24 stats: 46 games, 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 47.1 FG%.
Contract Status: Restricted Free Agent
Age: 24
Sandro Mamukelashvili always wanted to be a Spur. He said as much when he joined San Antonio last year. After a hot finish to the 2022-23 season, fans were excited to see what Mamu could do in 2023-24. It wasn't until April that we really got to see what Mamukelashvili could do – he did not disappoint.
He was one of the San Antonio Spurs best players at the end of the season, starting five out of their final 7 games where they went 4-3. Mamukelashvili played 40% of his minutes in the month of April. During that stretch Mamu averaged 11.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 38.5% from three. Mamukelashvili earned praise from Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, who called the Georgian big man his "favorite player," for his constant moving and basketball IQ.
Mamukelashvili is a below average defender who is too small to guard sturdy bigs and too slow to guard quicker forwards. He makes up for it with effort and offensive skill. Mamukelashvili was a monster on the boards in the last month of the season, posting multiple double-digit rebounding performances. He is a skilled passer, cutter and has shown the ability to space the floor (despite being a 29.7% three-point shooter on the season.) He had strong offensive synergy with Victor Wembanyama. Mamu was always moving to the open spots when double teams came Wemby's way. His run was a small glimpse into what consistent minutes could mean for Mamukelashvili. It was enough to give Spurs fans hope for what is to come.
Looking forward
Was Mamukelashvili's strong end to the season enough to earn him another contract with San Antonio? That is the question the Spurs are faced with this offseason. On one hand, Mamu looks like a good fit next to Wembanyama, and would provide the Spurs with some offense in the second unit. On the other, he's a liability on defense and plays a position where the Spurs have a lot of depth.
San Antonio has a lot of mouths to feed in the front court. Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson, Sidy Cissoko, Dominick Barlow, Charles Bassey and Mamu all would fight for minutes off the bench if they are back next season. That's not even including the two potential first round picks the Spurs could bring in, and any veteran free agent acquisitions they make. PATFO is going to have some tough decisions to make on who they bring back from this roster, which means Mamukelashvili could find himself on the outside looking in.
Mamukelashvili has a few things going in his favor. Popovich is clearly a fan and would seemingly be an advocate for his return. He's a restricted free agent who once again won't come with a large price tag. He's also seemingly well-liked by his teammates. Those factors could help Mamu stick around in San Antonio next season.
Top performance
Final grade: B
Up Next: Blake Wesley
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