The San Antonio Spurs have one roster spot open, and Kelly Olynyk is all but a lock to get signed.
Apparently, the veteran center has drawn some interest from the Golden State Warriors, although all signs point to him re-signing with the Spurs. For starters, he’s been in the NBA for 13 seasons and made two Finals, but is yet to win one. The Spurs give him a better chance at a ring.
Second, he seems to have ingrained himself into San Antonio basketball. Despite only 42 garbage-time appearances last season, he’s become close with Victor Wembanyama. A relationship with the Spurs’ superstar goes a long way in ensuring that he’ll have a roster spot in the fall.
Last season, his first in San Antonio, Olynyk averaged only 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds. With Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee off the roster, the Spurs used the 26th overall pick to draft Tarris Reed, who is expected to be the third-string center on the depth chart.
There won’t be much playing time for Olynyk next season. That doesn’t really matter. The Spurs have a history of turning journeyman centers into lifelong members of the franchise.
Kelly Olynyk to Follow Gorgui Dieng’s Example
In 2021, the Memphis Grizzlies waived veteran big man Gorgui Dieng. He signed with the Spurs and played sparingly in 16 games to finish out the season. He showed just enough to get a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
After his season in Georgia, he returned to San Antonio to back up Jakob Poeltl and Zach Collins. The Spurs would tank that season away and draft Wembanyama that summer. Dieng didn’t have any gas left in the tank, and the 2023 campaign was his last one.
Dieng spent the majority of his career on the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he actually ranks eighth all-time in win shares. However, like Tim Duncan, George Gervin, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, and Bruce Bowen before him, he made San Antonio home.
After retiring in 2023, Dieng joined the Spurs’ front office as a Basketball Operations Representative. He’s been seen in the war room during NBA Drafts and is frequently spotted alongside Brian Wright and RC Buford.
His season-and-a-half of “meaningless” basketball in San Antonio set him up for a long-term second career. Like Dieng, Olynyk’s time with the Spurs will be little more than a footnote in an otherwise solid career, although by ingraining himself with the current players, he’s building the groundwork for a life after basketball.
Olynyk is best-known for his stints in Boston and Miami, although as his veteran wisdom gets absorbed by the Spurs, perhaps his final team appreciates him more than anywhere else did. Maybe, once he hangs up his sneakers (and no-show socks) for the last time, he’ll stay in town.
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