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NBA free agency is here, and the first domino to drop for the Spurs is the waiving of big man Chimezie Metu.
Thank you, Chimezie!
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 20, 2020
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Metu was drafted 49th by the Spurs in the 2018 NBA Draft out of USC. In a somewhat surprising move, they signed him to a three-year contract, with the first two years guaranteed. He averaged 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.3 minutes across 47 games for the Spurs but spent most of his time developing in Austin. He never reached his true potential, and it was somewhat obvious that he was likely not returning next season after he failed to secure a rotation spot in the Bubble despite the Spurs missing LaMarcus Aldridge and Trey Lyles.
By cutting him before November 29, the Spurs do not owe him the $500,000 of guaranteed salary for next season. While cutting him will hardly help the Spurs in cap space, it does open up another roster spot.
Good luck wherever your career takes you, Chimezie!