Spurs Send Message to Victor Wembanyama's Former Teammate After Career Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 5:36 PM ET

On Tuesday, Sandro Mamukelashvili agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, including a player option for the second year.

Mamukelashvili served as the San Antonio Spurs' backup to Victor Wembanyama last season, averaging 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds on 50.2% shooting in 11.2 minutes per game.

With Mamukelashvili’s departure, the Spurs lost not only a dependable bench piece but also a young, versatile talent who complemented Wembanyama’s transcendent skill set.

Three days later, on Friday, the Spurs organization took to X to offer a fond farewell, posting with the message, "Once a Spur, always a Spur Thank you, @Mamukelashvili5! Wishing you all the best in Toronto!"

Once a Spur, always a Spur

Thank you, @Mamukelashvili5! Wishing you all the best in Toronto! pic.twitter.com/hEGJncp09z
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 4, 2025

Signed off waivers on March 3, 2023, Mamukelashvili earned a standard NBA contract and quickly became a reliable rotational piece under Gregg Popovich, playing in a career-high 61 games this past season.

On March 19, he erupted for a career‑best 34 points and nine rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench against the New York Knicks, setting an NBA record for most points scored in under 20 minutes of play.

That performance underscored "Mamu’s" scoring versatility, highlighted by a 37.3% 3‑point clip on 8.5 attempts per 36 minutes.

Toronto’s frontcourt depth was an explicit need this offseason, and Mamukelashvili’s perimeter shooting, passing touch and proven Spurs pedigree made him an attractive fit.

This farewell marks the end of a budding partnership in San Antonio and the start of a new chapter in Toronto, all while Wembanyama and the Spurs chart a course toward the future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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