The Spurs have a reputation for taking lesser-known international players and turning them into stars; just look at Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. That will not be the case with 7’3″ German center Tibor Pleiss, though, as the big man declined their workout invitation, per NetsDaily:
#Nets weren't only NBA team that planned on working out @TiborPleiss He passed on Spurs workout as well, signing in Turkey.
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) September 12, 2016
Pleiss, 26, played less than 90 total minutes in his rookie season. However, he impressed in Summer League. Pleiss’ height gives him a huge advantage, and he also has shooting range that extends beyond the three-point line.
Pleiss passed up on workouts with NBA teams such as the Spurs to sign in Turkey with Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul.
Pleiss would have had an outside chance at making a talented Spurs roster that already has LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, David Lee, Dewayne Dedmon, and Davis Bertans as big men. That being said, Pleiss could have potentially played well enough to take minutes from Bertans and Dedmon, which could have earned him a spot in the rotation. It’s surprising that he would turn down the workout; most fringe players would kill for a crack at a rotation spot on a team like the Spurs.
