Veteran center Mason Plumlee has signed a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, according to a report from Shams Charania. The 35-year-old joins the roster after the team opened a spot by waiving Jeremy Sochan last week. Plumlee began this season with the Charlotte Hornets, appearing in 14 games and averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds; his last NBA appearance came on December 22 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The short-term deal gives the Spurs extra size and experience up front while leaving open the option to convert the agreement to a standard contract later in the season.
Key takeaways
- Mason Plumlee signed a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, as reported by Shams Charania.
- Plumlee, 35, played 14 games this season for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds.
- His most recent game appearance was on December 22 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- The 13-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
- This marks Plumlee’s eighth NBA team; he is best known for stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets.
- The Spurs created the roster opening by waiving Jeremy Sochan last week.
- Plumlee is expected to provide emergency depth and veteran leadership behind Victor Wembanyama, Luke Kornet, Bismack Biyombo and Kelly Olynyk.
- San Antonio may sign him to a full contract after the 10-day period if both sides agree.
Background
The Spurs enter the move with a roster that mixes a franchise cornerstone in Victor Wembanyama and a collection of bigs used situationally. San Antonio has shown a willingness to add short-term veteran frontcourt pieces during stretches when depth or insurance is needed; last season the team signed Bismack Biyombo on a temporary basis in a similar capacity. Given Wembanyama’s central role, the Spurs generally prioritize protecting his minutes while ensuring there are experienced bodies available when matchups or injuries force lineup changes.
Mason Plumlee arrives with a long track record as a serviceable rotation center rather than as a game-changing starter. Over 13 NBA seasons he has been valued for his passing from the center position, pick-and-roll IQ and physicality on short rolls. His offensive game in recent years has lost some athleticism compared with his prime, and he is not relied upon for outside shooting or elite rim protection. Teams commonly sign veterans like Plumlee to 10-day contracts to cover short-term needs and to evaluate fit before committing for the remainder of a season.
Main event
The Spurs filled a roster vacancy created last week when they waived forward Jeremy Sochan, and reports indicate they moved quickly to add Plumlee to a short-term pact. San Antonio has been managing minutes carefully among its bigs; with Wembanyama expected to handle heavy minutes when healthy, the club sought additional experienced options who can step in for limited minutes when lineups are reshuffled. Plumlee’s arrival does not signal an immediate change to the rotation but provides insurance for games that demand more size or interior passing.
Plumlee’s strengths are clear and specific: he reads handoffs and short rolls well, averages 2.4 career assists, and uses his size to set screens and finish around the rim in opportunistic moments. In his prime he could contest shots and finish in transition, though his role in recent seasons has been more situational. The Spurs’ front office likely viewed Plumlee as a low-cost way to add a veteran presence who can help younger players adjust and step in if injuries or foul trouble arise.
Even with experienced options such as Bismack Biyombo and Kelly Olynyk on the roster, Plumlee’s profile is distinct because of his passing and pick-and-roll experience. Coaches value those traits in late-game sub packages or when matching up against certain opponent lineups. How often Plumlee sees the floor will depend on matchups, the health of San Antonio’s primary bigs, and the coaching staff’s rotation preferences over the next 10 days.
Analysis & implications
Short term, the signing is mostly about precaution: a 10-day contract limits financial and roster risk while supplying the team with a veteran who can be deployed in spot minutes. For a Spurs squad balancing developmental priorities with competitiveness, the move preserves flexibility. If Wembanyama or Kornet require rest or suffer a setback, Plumlee offers a known quantity who can run simple pick-and-rolls and make high-percentage reads.
From a locker-room and mentorship perspective, Plumlee’s value may exceed his on-court box score impact. Thirteen seasons in the league and experience across multiple organizations equip him to help younger players handle rotation changes and game-preparation routines. That intangible mentorship can be especially useful for a young core learning to navigate the late-season push and potential playoff preparation.
On the downside, Plumlee’s current statistical footprint—1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds across 14 games this season—suggests he is no longer a reliable source of production in extended minutes. San Antonio’s coaching staff will likely use him in narrowly defined roles rather than expect him to replicate career-peak contributions. Strategically, the move preserves the Spurs’ ability to convert the 10-day into a longer deal if Plumlee fits need and both sides agree, but there are no guarantees.
Comparison & data
| Scope | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 (Charlotte) | 14 | 1.9 | 2.9 | — |
| Career (13 seasons) | — | 7.9 | 6.6 | 2.4 |
The table highlights the gap between Plumlee’s career production and his limited role this season. His historical assists and pick-and-roll play remain the most useful lens for evaluating what he brings to San Antonio: playmaking from the center spot and experienced decision-making on short rolls and handoffs. The 10-day contract is effectively a trial period that lets the Spurs compare Plumlee’s current form to alternatives already on the roster.
Reactions & quotes
News of the signing prompted swift reporting and a range of immediate takes about what Plumlee provides as a depth option.
Mason Plumlee has agreed to a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, per Shams Charania.
Shams Charania / ESPN (report)
Charania’s report was the primary source breaking the news and framed the move as a short-term roster adjustment. Media coverage emphasized Plumlee’s veteran status and the roster opening created by Jeremy Sochan’s waiver.
The Spurs opened a roster spot by waiving Jeremy Sochan last week, creating the vacancy Plumlee fills.
San Antonio Spurs (transaction report)
The transaction note from the team underscores the procedural nature of the addition: this is an administrative roster change meant to maintain frontcourt depth. Fans and roster watchers have largely characterized the signing as standard cover rather than a dramatic upgrade.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the Spurs will convert Plumlee’s 10-day deal into a rest-of-season contract is not determined and remains speculative.
- It is not confirmed how many minutes Plumlee will receive or which specific matchups will prompt his rotation inclusion.
- There is no official public comment yet from Plumlee or the Spurs’ coaching staff about his intended role beyond emergency depth.
Bottom line
San Antonio’s signing of Mason Plumlee to a 10-day contract is a low-risk move to bolster frontcourt depth and add veteran experience. The agreement allows the Spurs to manage short-term contingencies without committing long-term salary or roster flexibility. For Plumlee, it represents another opportunity to demonstrate value on a team that prizes size, passing and pick-and-roll IQ.
In practical terms, the addition is most likely to matter only if the Spurs face injury or matchup-driven minutes that require extra size; otherwise, his role will be limited behind Wembanyama, Kornet and the team’s other bigs. Observers should watch playing time, coach comments, and any conversion to a standard contract over the coming weeks to assess whether this becomes a longer-term fit.