The Spurs must replace their $35 million albatross ASAP to solve a major flaw

The San Antonio Spurs have one of the best centers in the NBA in Victor Wembanyama, but their situation at backup center is far less impressive. While they have several NBA-caliber players in Zach Collins, Charles Bassey, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collins has inexplicably cemented his spot in the rotation thus far. That may have something to do with him making S35 million over this season and next.

Even as his play has varied widely, the Spurs have yet to make a change. Collins is arguably the best all-around player of the bunch with his skill as a passer, post player, and shooter, even though those skills, including his three-point shot, really come and go. On the other hand, he is a poor defender who struggles to defend in the post and at the rim.

The Spurs must replace Zach Collins and have the options to do so.

Bassey is a strong rebounder and shot blocker who could help shore up the Spurs' defense in the second unit, but he provides little in the way of spacing and needs to be spoon-fed in order to get easy baskets. That alone should have disqualified him from playing backup center with Trey Jones and Chris Paul being there to help find him for lobs.

Then there is Mamukelashvili, who is the best shooter of the three and has the best basketball IQ as well. He is terrific at cutting and being in spots for easy baskets. He also developed great chemistry playing alongside Wembanyama. 

Then there is the dark horse option of playing Jeremy Sochan at the backup five. He and Wembanyama don't mesh as well on offense, so the Spurs could experiment with Sochan at center and just did so by having him start at the five against the Chicago Bulls.

He could start the first six minutes of each half before he is brought back in at the eight- or nine-minute mark to replace Wembanyama at center. At 6'8, he is just a couple of inches shorter than Collins, Bassey, and Mamu and is a better defender than all of them. He is also a terrific offensive rebounder and has playmaking skills, giving the Spurs a different look at center.

Perhaps the more realistic option is that interim coach Mitch Johnson goes back to Mamu, who saw increased minutes before he shortened the rotation. He has played well when he has seen the floor. While he is a bit undersized to play center, his ability to space the floor, pass, and get easy baskets in the paint makes him a clear upgrade over Collins. 

There will be some defensive issues, but the Spurs will soon send Stephon Castle back to the bench with Devin Vassell moving into the starting lineup. Players such as Castle and Blake Wesley are terrific defenders and should help on that end, while Mamu's spacing will help a bench that doesn't have a lot of shooters.

Overall, the Spurs need to address their issues at the backup center and have several options on the team already. As is, Collins hasn't done enough to warrant backing up Wembanyama, and the Spurs should look at their options with Mamu arguably being the best option available.