Latest On Spurs, 2013 Pick Deshaun Thomas

SEPTEMBER 18TH, 6:14pm: The Spurs filed their required tender by the September 10th deadline to retain their draft rights to Thomas, a source told international journalist David Pick (Twitter link).  It’s unclear if Thomas has signed the tender, which by rule is a non-guaranteed one-year offer for the minimum salary, but Thomas posted photos to Instagram today showing him in Spurs workout gear at San Antonio’s practice facility, as Pick also relays.

SEPTEMBER 2ND, 11:03am: Deshaun Thomas, whom San Antonio drafted 58th overall in 2013, would sign with the Spurs if they make him an offer, a source tells international journalist David Pick (Twitter link). The 6’7″ combo forward from Ohio State has played in France and Spain the last two seasons. The Spurs have only the minimum salary to give, but they have deals with only 18 players and guaranteed pacts with just 13, leaving open spots beneath the 20-man offseason roster limit and the 15-man regular season limit.

Reports from recent weeks have indicated that San Antonio has shown interest in Rasual Butler and Brazilian center Rafael Hettsheimeir, though it’s unclear where the Spurs see Thomas in relation to them. Thomas wasn’t on the Spurs summer league squad this year, in contrast to the past two Julys.

The 24-year-old former McDonald’s All-American averaged 7.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game with 37.4% three-point shooting for Barcelona of Spain this past season. He was a fairly prolific scorer in college, pouring in 19.8 PPG in 35.4 MPG in 2012/13, his final season with the Buckeyes. Thomas would compete with Matt Bonner, Jimmer Fredette, Reggie Williams, Youssou Ndoye and Keifer Sykes to make it to opening night if he indeed winds up with the Spurs for the preseason.

Do you think the Spurs should give Thomas a shot? Leave a comment to tell us.

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