Apr 5, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Isaiah Roby (22) goes to the basket ahead of Portland Trail Blazers forward Reggie Perry (10) during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Former Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Roby didn’t stay a free agent for very long. Just days after he was waived, he was picked up by the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

The Thunder was going to owe the 24-year-old center nearly $2 million next season, which may be the reason they wanted to cut him and his salary. With No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren in the building, that also made Roby more expendable.

Roby appeared in 45 games for OKC last season, posting 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 21.1 minutes. Over the final 10 games of the regular season (all starts), Roby took on a larger role (29.6 MPG) and averaged 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.0 threes, 1.4 blocks, and 1.0 steals.

The signing of Roby may quiet down Spur fans who haven’t seen their team’s name mentioned in a lot of blockbuster signings so far during the free agency period, except for players leaving town.

Roby may not be the big name the Spurs were planning on signing, but he may be what this team is looking for to carry them into the near future. He may end up being the steal of this offseason for the Spurs as they watch other NBA teams potentially give up half their rosters in order to land a Kyrie Irving or a Kevin Durant.

While other NBA teams fight for the big-name superstars, the Spurs may have quietly gotten better overnight and a lot of NBA fans seem to agree.

[ESPN]

About Stacey Mickles

Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.