The Detroit Pistons might see one of their former players as competition resumes after the All-Star break.
Ex-Pistons center and 13-year veteran Mason Plumlee signed a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, after being waived at the trade deadline. The Pistons will host the Spurs on Feb. 23 in a matchup between two of the top teams in the NBA.
Plumlee, who signed with the Charlotte Hornets during the offseason, played in just 14 games this season before undergoing surgery for a right groin injury in late December. He was dealt at the trade deadline to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was waived immediately.
Now some seven weeks removed from the surgery, he should be ready to get back on the court. Plumlee, 35, was only playing about nine minutes per game for the Hornets, averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per appearance.
After the Spurs waived Jeremy Sochan, they opened up a spot on their 15-man roster and will use it to add some center depth, for the time being.
In 874 regular-season games during his career, Plumlee averages 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Once Plumlee hits the court, this will mark the eighth NBA team he’s competed for since being drafted 22nd overall in 2013 out of Duke. He played for the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets before joining the Pistons in 2020.
Plumlee started all 56 games he played as a Piston, posting 10.4 points and career-highs of 9.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game for a 20-win Detroit team.
After one season, the Pistons dealt Plumlee and the draft rights to JT Thor to the Hornets for the draft rights of Balsa Koprivica. Following that first stint with Charlotte, he spent time with the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns before his return over the offseason.