According to several unofficial sources including Ridiculous Upside, Toros big man Pops Mensah-Bonsu has signed with the Spurs.
It is not clear how long the former Mav has signed for, but the word is that he chose the Spurs over two other suitors.
We wrote about the possibility of Mensah-Bonsu signing last week in our post about the possibility of the Spurs acquiring Mikki Moore.
With Moore signing with Boston and Tim Duncan out, the signing comes at a good time. Mensah-Bonsu should be able to get some playing time to show Spurs coaches how his game translates from the D-League.
Since he joined the Toros, Mensah-Bonsu has taken the D-League by storm averaging 23 points, 13 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. In his last game, on Sunday against the Colorado 14ers, Mensah-Bonsu went off for 39 points, 18 rebounds and four steals.
With Moore gone and the Spurs unlikely to have a chance at Joe Smith, The 6-10 Mensah-Bonsu seems to be the best option. Scott at Ridiculous Upside has some concerns about his willingness to apply himself since he hasn’t had to do much to shine at the D-League level. He will need to work hard to earn minutes over Matt Bonner, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas.
Thomas for one isn’t going anywhere, especially after a 10 point, 15 rebound and 3 blocked shots night against the Mavericks. Pops is the most athletic of the bunch, but if he doesn’t have the drive, he may turn into another Francisco Elson.
Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see tonight, if the trade is made official before the Trailblazers game.
