Skip to content

Report: Spurs among 7 teams in hunt for Ian Mahinmi

Kamil Krzaczynski / USA TODAY Sports

After a big chunk of the NBA free-agent market got bitten off Friday, teams are swarming the remaining available players like moths to a flame.

Free-agent center Ian Mahinmi is one such player, and he reportedly has at least seven teams currently pursuing him.

The San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic are all trying to woo the late-blooming 29-year-old, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge.

Mahinmi is coming off a breakout season with the Indiana Pacers, in which he averaged career highs in points (9.3), rebounds (7.1), assists (1.5), and blocks (1.1), while serving as the strongest interior stopper for a team that finished third in the NBA in defensive rating.

The Pacers, though, have clearly prioritized offense this summer, and accordingly signed center Al Jefferson to a three-year contract Friday. That deal means Mahinmi will be playing elsewhere next season, according to Aldridge.

The market for starting-caliber centers was set pretty high on the first day of free agency, with Timofey Mozgov commanding four years and $64 million, Dwight Howard landing three years, $70 million, and Joakim Noah expected to command upwards of $70 million over four years (to say nothing of the max deals given to Hassan Whiteside and Andre Drummond). Whichever team ends up with Mahinmi won't get him for peanuts.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox