Mason Plumlee Ready to Contribute for San Antonio Spurs After Successful Debut

San Antonio, TX – Veteran center Mason Plumlee has officially joined the San Antonio Spurs, making his debut on Tuesday night against the Boston Celtics. After being waived by the Charlotte Hornets following the trade deadline, Plumlee signed a 10-day contract with the Spurs on February 17, which was later converted into a deal for the remainder of the season . He has been recovering from a groin surgery sustained in December and is now eager to contribute to the team’s playoff push.

Plumlee’s Journey to San Antonio

Plumlee’s arrival in San Antonio marks a new chapter in his 13-year NBA career. He was initially traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a three-team deal but was subsequently waived by Oklahoma City . The 36-year-old center expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Spurs, highlighting the team’s dynamic play style. “Right now the way that our team’s playing, the ball’s moving really well they’re playing really quick, it’s an unselfish group,” Plumlee stated .

Spurs Coaching Staff and Teammates Welcome Plumlee

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson praised Plumlee’s experience and the unique skillset he brings to the team. “Mason’s been around the league, very experienced, and we just wanted to add depth at that spot, and thought he was also a different type…than (Bismack Biyombo and Kelly Oubre) and the guys that we already had,” Johnson said . Johnson also revealed a personal connection, having hosted Plumlee during a recruiting visit to Stanford University.

Plumlee’s Recovery and Readiness

Despite recovering from a December groin surgery, Plumlee feels prepared to make an immediate impact. “My body feels great, they had a great plan to get me back to playing shape, and I’m ready to proceed,” he said . He emphasized the importance of 5-on-5 scrimmages in regaining his basketball shape.

A Veteran Presence for a Young Team

Plumlee brings a wealth of experience to a young Spurs team, having played for the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Charlotte Hornets throughout his career . He has participated in 71 postseason games and 12 playoff series, and is hoping to add a championship to his resume with the Spurs. Plumlee reached out to the Spurs organization expressing his desire to join the team once he became a free agent, feeling fortunate they gave him an opportunity .