top of page

2024 Free Agents - Cedi Osman

Summary
Osman has had a bit of an up-and-down career thus far. After some promising moments early on his career, the Cavs signed Osman to a reasonable extension. After really struggling in the '20-'21 season, Osman had a bounce-back year in '21-'22, and was a contributor to the improved Cavs in both '21-'22 and '22-'23. He scored pretty efficiently for the Spurs in '23-'24 in a low-usage role.

Osman's shooting has been his biggest strength, but he is only a career 36% 3-point shooter, which is about average for a wing. Most of his attempts come from spotting up, but he does have some ability off the dribble as well. He doesn't have a ton of moves and isn't someone that will blow by defenders in isolation, but he can make a move or two to create enough space to rise up for jumpers. HIs size at 6'8" allows him to get that jumper off even if he doesn't have a ton of room.

Osman doesn't finish well at the rim or from shoot well from midrange, but he takes enough threes and hits them at a decent enough rate to be a pretty efficient player, as his 59.5% eFG% in '23-'24 was in the 85th percentile for his position, according to Cleaning the Glass.

Defensively, Osman doesn't have the quickest feet but gives solid effort on that end, and has the size to defend multiple positions. He also has a decent steal rate. For the most part, you want him hiding on one of the least threatening offensive options, but he isn't someone that is bad enough to get consistently hunted, especially during the regular season or playing against second units.

Osman is probably overmatched as a starter on a good team, but he can at least be in a rotation on a good team. Teams are always looking for wings that can dribble, shoot, and pass, and Osman can do all of those while not being a complete liability on defense.
 
Cap Considerations
Osman will be an unrestricted free agent with a $12.8 million cap hold and full Bird Rights, meaning the Spurs will have no restrictions on re-signing him. Since Osman's cap hold will likely exceed the starting salary he will get in free agency, his cap hold is not really relevant, as the Spurs will either renounce him or re-sign him and replace his cap hold with his starting salary.

If Osman is brought back by the Spurs on a multi-year contract they could benefit from frontloading his contract, as it could give them additional flexibility in the future. Doing so could get into their cap space though.

For other teams, if Osman demands a starting salary of more than the full $12.9 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, only teams with cap space will be able to sign him, unless a sign-and-trade is worked out. However, it's likely that Osman could be had for the full MLE or slightly less, including possibly the $5.2 million Taxpayer MLE, which would make him available to almost every team.

Potential Teams: Spurs, Lakers, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Bulls

Predicted Contract: 2-year, $13 million with the Spurs

Actual Contract: Overseas

Osman signed overseas in Greece for less than the NBA minimum, so it's likely he didn't have any real NBA offers at all, which is a little surprising. 

Last updated: 9/9/2024

bottom of page