In a move signaling potential continuity amidst rebuilding, the San Antonio Spurs have offered qualifying offers to two of their players, Sandro Mamukelashvili and David Duke Jr., as reported by Spotrac's Keith Smith. With the Spurs taking this step, both Mamukelashvili and Duke Jr. are on the path to restricted free agency. This gives San Antonio the upper hand as it allows the team to match any competing offers that may come their way for these players.
Mamukelashvili, known affectionately as Mamu, has leveraged the last stretch of the season, where he found himself in the rotation more frequently, to elevate his statistics—averaging 11.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc in April. His value to the team was highlighted in a game on April 9 against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he racked up a career-high 16 rebounds along with 11 points. According to KENS5, Coach Gregg Popovich recognized his contributions, noting, “I’ve said it before: He really knows how to play.”
A two-way contract player for most of last season, Duke Jr. managed to appear in four games for the Spurs, leaving an impression with his 50% three-point shooting. Most of his playing time was spent with the Austin Spurs, where his consistency was apparent, averaging 19.9 points and 6.7 rebounds across 33 games. Pounding the Rock highlights the potential for Duke Jr. to either rejoin the San Antonio roster on a two-way contract or step up as a physical guard that could provide depth to the team.
Both players are part of a cohort of young talent the Spurs seem keen on securing as a part of their roster going forward. Mamukelashvili, who evidently finds synergy in playing alongside talents like Victor Wembanyama, has expressed his wish to remain with the team, saying, "I’m very happy to be there. I’m humbled," he told KENS5 in a previous interview. The free agency period commences today at 5 p.m. CT, and it will become clear soon enough if Mamu and Duke Jr.'s fates are indeed tied to San Antonio for the near future.
