In the contending years of Gregg Popovich’s tenure with the Spurs, the team was a pioneer in seeking overseas talent. They smartly added key rotation pieces from European leagues and the FIBA game. However, the league has since caught up with them. The Spurs should sign the former Euroleague MVP and Olympic revelation to reclaim their throne as leaders in finding international talent.
Spurs Should Sign Former Euroleague MVP and Olympic Revelation
Popovich’s tenure can be described as enduring long-term success, an epitome of hegemony. It was built on a foundation of acquiring role players who plied their trades in Europe. Their 2014 championship is perhaps the best example of their dominance, characterized by foreign influence.
Their star big man, the stoic Mr. Fundamentals, Tim Duncan, was born in the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands. Tony Parker was raised in France, while arguably the greatest sixth man of his generation, Manu Ginobili (Argentina), spent three years in Italy after being drafted by the Spurs in 1999. They also had Tiago Splitter (Brazil), Boris Diaw (France), Marco Belinelli (Italy), and the Aussies Patty Mills and Aron Baynes coming off their bench.
The league has since caught up with the Spurs. It is more challenging to bring top international prospects into organizations. In back-to-back years, the first overall picks were international prospects. Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher, both French-raised players, captured the imagination of NBA front offices while playing in the premier French division, LNB Élite. To put this into perspective, the Olympics currently feature 69 non-American NBA players. Heading into the 2023-24 season, there were 125 international players on NBA rosters.
Spurs Should Sign Former Euroleague MVP: Vasilije Micić
This former Euroleague MVP is currently in the NBA, albeit on a team that has been forgettable for the past few years. He is Vasilije Micić, now with the Charlotte Hornets. Last season, the coaching staff experimented with using larger ball handlers at the point guard position, initially featuring Jeremy Sochan and then Malaki Branham as the lead guards. However, Tre Jones ultimately secured the starting role due to the struggles of the others, though it’s evident that Popovich remains intrigued by the idea of utilizing a bigger playmaker.
This is where Micić comes into play. The 30-year-old, standing at 6-foot-5, joined the Thunder last season after earning Euroleague MVP honors. However, he struggled to find his place in the rotation on a contending team. Micić came off the bench for 30 games, facing challenges with scoring and efficiency, which wasn’t unexpected given the adjustment period. After being traded to the Hornets, his performance improved in a larger role, particularly in terms of his assist percentage. Despite his NBA struggles from beyond the arc, Micić, a career 37% shooter from deep, worked with the Hornets’ shot doctor, demonstrating his humility and willingness to learn. As a veteran without an ego, he could offer valuable insight to a young team, and his offensive skills could be a significant asset.
Micić’s contract has one guaranteed year remaining, worth nearly $8 million, followed by a team option. This effectively puts him on an expiring deal. If he proves effective, the Spurs can retain him at a reasonable cost. If not, they can use his contract in a trade or waive him. The Spurs have ample second-round picks to facilitate a trade if desired.
Spurs Should Sign Olympic Revelation: Guerschon Yabusele
Guerschon Yabusele played alongside Wembanyama for France at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Yabusele averaged 14 points per game, even scoring 20 points in the gold medal game. He’s become the toast of the NBA ball and he is eager for a return to the league. Yabusele last appeared in the NBA five seasons ago before heading back to Europe, where he developed into a skilled player. However, several NBA teams currently have open roster spots to sign him. The Spurs should be one of the front-runners to sign him.
However, there’s a complication: Yabusele is still under contract with Real Madrid for another season. While his contract includes a buyout clause, it comes at a steep price of $2.5 million. NBA teams are only allowed to contribute up to $850,000 towards a player’s international buyout, meaning Yabusele would be responsible for the remaining $1.65 million. For many NBA players, a $1.65 million buyout wouldn’t be a significant hurdle. However, considering Yabusele’s brief NBA stint, this sum represents a considerable financial burden, especially by European standards.
Based on his Olympic performance, he appears capable of making an impact. A big, physical forward with inside scoring ability and defensive versatility, Yabusele has shot 40.7% from beyond the arc on 3.3 attempts per game during his international career. While he may not be a star, he has the attributes of a valuable role player in the NBA.
The Spurs don’t have much depth at power forward, with Harrison Barnes likely to start at the four next season and Sochan essentially playing small forward. That could create a need for a backup four that Yabusele can fill.
The Last Word
The Spurs have 21 players signed for the upcoming season, with a potential 22nd if they add Yabusele. However, their roster might not be as crowded as it appears. There are 18 players vying for 15 spots on the NBA roster, while the three two-way spots are already taken.
Micić and Yabusele are too old to become part of the Spurs’ young core. Still, they could potentially help in the short term as other veterans have. Micić’s first year in the league was disappointing. The environment and the adjustment period from switching leagues can at least partially be blamed for his struggles. Yabusele has grown tremendously since his days as a highly-rated Celtics prospect. Both veterans would contribute next year, especially if they get to play for Popovich, who has extensive experience working with international players.
The Spurs signing the former Euroleague MVP and Olympic revelation should not be major targets or priorities. They are proven talents that might be undervalued in the market though. As low-risk additions, they could be worth considering if the front office wants experience and upside without making long-term commitments.
