The San Antonio Spurs have signed veteran center Mason Plumlee through the rest of the regular season, but how does it affect Victor Wembanyama?
On Friday, after his first ten-day contract with the team expired, the San Antonio Spurs inked veteran center Mason Plumlee to a deal lasting the rest of the season.
After appearing in 14 games for the Charlotte Hornets earlier this season, injuries caught up to Plumlee, and he was waived. He is in his 13th NBA season, serving mostly as a backup, although he is very capable.
Plumlee is yet to suit up for the Spurs, although the organization has clearly seen enough to commit to him for the season. He will likely be the last player off the bench behind bigs Victor Wembanyama, Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk, and Bismack Biyombo, and was signed to the roster spot left vacant by Jeremy Sochan.
What Plumlee Signing Means for Wemby
Wembanyama is one of the best centers in the league, and his status as the Spurs' go-to guy is not questioned. Kornet, meanwhile, has proven himself to be one of the best backups in the NBA.
Biyombo and Olynyk, on the other hand, have played sparingly this season, as the Spurs have mostly dodged injuries so far.
However, the Plumlee signing suggests that the team is aware that might change.
It's no secret that Wembanyama gets beat up. His slender frame and mobility don't stand up to physicality down low, and while he has managed to stay upright and active, playing him 35-plus minutes a night isn't sustainable, especially when the Spurs are five and a half games ahead of the third-place Rockets.
Plumlee is older than any of Wemby's backups, but he is a physical force down low who can serve as an enforcer and rebounder if needed. When Wembanyama is off the floor, or when both he and Kornet are out on rare occasion, adding someone like Plumlee down low can exert some physicality and aggression on opponents, keeping the Spurs in games that might otherwise slip away.
To Wembanyama, this move should signal that a break is coming, and the Spurs are very interested in preserving him for the postseason.
Plumlee is expected to make his Spurs' debut on Saturday against the New York Knicks, although a deep rotation might keep him on the bench, especially if Wembanyama is feeling ripe enough to go the distance with limited breaks.