NBA Free Agency: Celtics, Suns Interested in Spurs' Keita Bates-Diop

The San Antonio Spurs could lose Keita Bates-Diop in free agency, as several teams are reportedly interested in signing him.

Jeremy Brener | Jun 29, 2023

NBA Free Agency: Celtics, Suns Interested in Spurs' Keita Bates-Diop /

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San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs may be interested in re-signing Keita Bates-Diop in free agency, but they will have some competition for his services.

Radio talk show host John Gambadoro mentioned that Bates-Diop could be a free agent option for the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are eyeing players who could be on veteran minimum deals, especially after trading for Bradley Beal earlier this month. Over $162 million is being spent on Beal, Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, meaning if Bates-Diop is willing to sign for the minimum, it would be a steal for Phoenix.

But the Suns aren't the only team rumored to be in the Bates-Diop sweepstakes.

According to Heavy, the Boston Celtics are linked to Bates-Diop as well.

The Celtics are in a similar boat with the Suns, just not as extreme. With the desire to extend Jaylen Brown either this offseason or next, money is scarce in Boston. But Bates-Diop could be a player that could help alleviate some salary.

Bates-Diop, 27, averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds on 50 percent shooting, which all mark either the highest or the second-highest numbers of his career.

Should he return to the Spurs next season, Bates-Diop would almost certainly come off the bench behind Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson. If a team can offer him a better situation with more opportunities to play and win, it may be the last we've seen from him in San Antonio.

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Published Jun 29, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.