Dec 21, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Jeremy Sochan (10) on the bench in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Spurs Star Reacts to Key Player’s Free Agency Departure

Originally posted on San Antonio Spurs on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 4:54 PM ET

The San Antonio Spurs had luck on their side during the 2025 NBA Lottery, jumping up to the second overall pick to select Rutgers star Dylan Harper. Additionally, they also added Arizona forward Carter Bryant with the 14th pick, further establishing one of the top young cores in the NBA.

Spurs suffered a big loss on the second day of NBA free agency Tuesday, as center Sandro Mamukelashvili parted ways with the team to sign a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Toronto Raptors. The news hit hard for some Spurs fans on social media, and one player in particular.

Free agent F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, plus a second year player option, sources tell ESPN. George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports negotiated the new deal with the Raptors. pic.twitter.com/4GWqWrdVUm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, who was a rookie when Mamukelashvili was brought into San Antonio, shared a heartfelt and somewhat mysterious statement on social media after news broke of the Georgian-American center's departure.

Noooo my Georgian prince!!! Gonna miss you but you know what’s next!? https://t.co/AbqVcSJjBq
— Jeremy Sochan (@JeremySochan) July 1, 2025

"Noooo my Georgian prince!!! Gonna miss you but you know what’s next!? ," Sochan posted on X.

The Spurs claimed Mamukelashvili off waivers in March 2023 after he was released by the Milwaukee Bucks following a one-and-a-half-year stint with the organization. Milwaukee drafted Mamukelashvili with the 54th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, averaging 3.1 points per game in 65 appearances with the organization.

Mamukelashvili saw a brief but dramatic spike in production after the Spurs signed him in 2023, averaging 10.8 points per game while making 7 starts in 19 appearances. The Georgian center averaged 6.3 points in 61 appearances during the 2024-25 season but was exclusively limited to a reserve role.

Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. Key frontcourt addition for the Spurs, who negotiated a contract tonight with Kornet's agent Max Wiepking of Gersh Sports. pic.twitter.com/cLnXxWJ2cv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

The Spurs signed former Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet to a four-year, $41 million deal on Monday to open their offseason, making Mamukelashvili an unneeded presence in San Antonio's now deepened frontcourt.

This article first appeared on San Antonio Spurs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: