Although he has only been with the San Antonio Spurs for one season, small forward Cedi Osman is hoping to extend his stint with the team. Osman, who will hit unrestricted free agency this summer, recently expressed his desire to return to San Antonio:
Although he cautions that “it’s a business,” Osman adds that he has “built a great relationship here with everyone and would love to come back.”
Additionally, Osman has talked about being “really happy” playing for the Spurs:
“Changing teams and coming to a brand new team, it’s been a good change for myself,” Osman said. “I’m really happy I’m here.”
The Spurs acquired Osman in a three-team trade in July 2023. In his first season with the team, the 29-year-old is averaging 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
A season-high night for @cediosman with 17 PTS and 5 REB 👏@FrostBank | #sponsored pic.twitter.com/fkhzQmWxgf
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 21, 2023
San Antonio Spurs Free Agent “Would Love to Come Back”
Cedi Osman Has Some Fans Within the Spurs Franchise
It appears Osman’s desire to return to San Antonio is a mutual feeling between members of the franchise. Head coach Gregg Popovich labeled Osman “a team favorite“:
“He’s kind of a team favorite,” Popovich said of Osman. “He’s a lot of fun. He gets in the game and none of us really know what he’s going to do, but he’s going to be active and aggressive.”
Furthermore, point guard Tre Jones has talked about how much he enjoys playing next to Osman and what he means to the team:
“I like playing with Cedi a lot,” point guard Tre Jones said. “He is someone that knows the game, thinks the game at a high level. He is also a competitive guy, always wants to win and do everything he can to help the team win.”
“He has been on teams that have made runs in the playoffs early in his career,” Jones said. “He has been around winning cultures, so he knows what it takes to win basketball games.”
What Cedi Osman Brings to San Antonio
Despite only being 29 years old, Osman is the longest-tenured NBA player on the Spurs. Additionally, the seven-year NBA veteran is the only player on the team (who is on a standard contract) with NBA Finals experience. This experience is always important for any NBA team. Additionally, on the court, Osman has been a reliable bench option. He is a good scorer who has become more efficient at shooting from beyond the arc. This season, Osman is shooting a career-high 38.9% from beyond the arc. Furthermore, he is a high-energy player and a decent defender.
The Last Word
Even though he has been with the Spurs for less than a year, it seems like a good fit already. The organization appears to be fans of Osman’s presence, and the former Cleveland Cavaliers forward has publicly said he wants to return. For an exciting and young team like the Spurs, keeping Osman on board is a good idea for their young stars.
