The San Antonio Spurs announced earlier today that they signed free agent big man Mamadi Diakite to a two-way deal.
NBA Rumors: The San Antonio Spurs Ink Four-Year Veteran Big Man To Bring Roster To 18
The Spurs are the 6-9 power forward/center fourth NBA team. He has also played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Diakite appeared in 22 games for the Cavaliers last season, including two starts. It was the most action that Diakite has seen in his career, though he only averaged eight minutes a game. He averaged 2.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks while producing a shooting slash line of .480/.333/1.000 in 2022-23.
Diakite became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. After being unable to find an NBA team, the 26-year-old joined Israeli second-tier club Maccabi Ra’anana, hoping to get another NBA opportunity, as the Israeli second-tier club played three NBA exhibition games.
Diakite compiled 36 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks over 60 minutes in three 2023-24 preseason games with Maccabi Ra’anana. He made 12 of 27 (44.4%) shots from the field, including 5 of 13 (38.5%) from beyond the arc.
Diakite was impressive enough to earn an Exhibit 10 contract from the New York Knicks. Two days after signing with the Knicks, Diakate was waived, although he was allocated to the G-League Westchester Knicks as an affiliate player. He produced two double-doubles and averaged 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 22.5 minutes in 19 appearances.
The Spurs had an open two-way spot after releasing rookie center Charles Bediako, who tore his left meniscus and was projected to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks.
Former San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bediako suffered a torn left meniscus and will miss 6-8 weeks, per his agent Daniel Green of @GreenSportsMgmt.
In a related move the Spurs waived Bediako from his Two-Way contract today.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 29, 2023
Diakate is likely to spend most of his time in Austin. However, as the season progresses, he may get some NBA minutes. Diakate has also played for Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, where he played in seven postseason games during the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship run.
Joel Embiid and De’Anthony Melton
The Philadelphia 76ers (24-10) host the Chicago Bulls (15-19) on Tuesday, looking to salvage the final game of their three-game series. The 76ers had their two-game winning streak snapped by the Bulls (105-92) the last time out in Chicago. But the Sixers will have Joel Embiid this go around after a four-game absence, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
As expected, Joel Embiid will play tomorrow night against the Chicago Bulls. This comes after the Sixers center missed the last four games with a sprained right ankle.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 1, 2024
The Sixers went 2-2 without Embiid during this stretch. However, Saturday’s loss to the Bulls was the 76ers’ second of the season as they also suffered a 108-104 home setback on Dec. 18. Embiid produced a 40-point, 14-rebound double-double in the first meeting.
Sixers guard De’Anthony Melton will not play against the Chicago Bulls tomorrow with lumber spine soreness.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 1, 2024
While the 76ers will get the big fella back tonight, the Sixers won’t have De’Anthony Melton due to lumbar spine soreness.
The seriousness of Melton’s back injury is unknown. But Melton was hampered by back issues all last season, though he sat out just five games. With Melton out, it opens a spot in the starting lineup.
Coach Nick Nurse does have plenty of options, with Marcus Morris Sr, Robert Covington, and Nic Batum being the most likely to receive the starting nod.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago has won four of the last six meetings against Philadelphia. The Bulls remain without Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Torrey Craig. All three players stayed in Chicago during the Bulls’ two-game road trip. Craig is weeks away from returning. Meanwhile, LaVine and Vucevic could return soon.
LaVine has been assigned to the Windy City Bulls of the G-League to see how the foot responds. This is LaVine’s final hurdle in his recovery process, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. LaVine could return to action against Charlotte on Jan. 5.
“I like having those guys on the bench just with their voice. I think it’s always good. But their health is the most important thing and getting the back to play,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “There’s more that they’ll have access to (in Chicago) because they’re all at a point where they can really do stuff on the court. . . . It’s a lot easier for them (in Chicago).”
Vucevic is still recovering from a groin injury he suffered on Dec. 23. The Bulls said that Vucevic would miss at least four games with a 7-to-10-day time frame. So, if his rehab is on schedule, the 33-year-old center could be back soon, as tonight’s game is the fourth he has missed.
Nikola Vucevic talks about being sidelined with his injury
"Can't lie, it's been pretty boring" 😂 pic.twitter.com/1E1Bh5aU0B
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 31, 2023
Chicago has won two of its last three games and is 10-5 since LaVine’s injury. A big reason for the Bulls’ success over this stretch has been the play of DeMar DeRozan and Coby White. Both players have increased their production over this stretch and have played nearly 39 minutes a game.
Since November 30, DeRozan has put up 23.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds while shooting .461/.325/.869 with a +5.2 plus/minus rating. Meanwhile, White has compiled 22.7 points, 6.2 caroms, and 5.7 dimes with a shooing slashline of .460/.398/.817 and a +3.6 plus/minus rating.
DeRozan suggested to Johnson, in another article, that his veteran awareness has helped him find moments in a game where he can tactically rest, even when he’s on the hardwood.
