Pekovic...

Danimals · Post #1 » by **Danimals** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 7:27 am

I always here him mentioned as a great asset, but is it true?

Do we have any idea if he will ever come to the NBA? (thought I heard before that he has no interest?)

If he does come over next year, is he a good fit for us? (how much would we pay him?)

What is his value in a trade?

Biff Cooper · Post #2 » by **Biff Cooper** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 1:52 pm

My speculation. He seems like a very good NBA prospect. Probably the best center prospect in Europe. DraftExpress has a listing of top foreign players that have rights held by NBA teams, and he ranked either 2nd or 3rd (behind Josh Childress, probably behind Rubio also). He's coming off a year where he led his team Panathinaikos to both the Greek League and to the Euroleague championships and then followed it up by leading Montenegro to the championship of the 2nd division of the European Basketball Championships, sending them to 1st division next year. I think he has an opt out in his contract after this season, but he may have played himself into too big of a contract over there for us to compete with under the NBA CBA. We'll probably offer him MLE money to come over, but my hunch is he'll probably sign an extension over there and we'll need to wait another contract for his price to drop. He doesn't cost us anything to stay in Europe, so he's a good asset to have stashed.

Post #3 » by **C.lupus** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 3:23 pm

I'm not an expert on the CBA but I thought the salary restrictions were only for first round picks. Are there restrictions that would prevent us from offering him more than the MLE (assuming we have cap space and he warrants the contract)?

Post #4 » by **Worm Guts** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 3:27 pm

Biff Cooper wrote: We'll probably offer him MLE money to come over, but my hunch is he'll probably sign an extension over there and we'll need to wait another contract for his price to drop. He doesn't cost us anything to stay in Europe, so he's a good asset to have stashed.

He'll be 25 by the end of his current contract. If wants to play in the NBA, he'll come at the end of this season or next season. If signs an extension in Europe, he's probably not all that interested and may never come over.

Biff Cooper · Post #5 » by **Biff Cooper** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 3:28 pm

C.lupus wrote:I'm not an expert on the CBA but I thought the salary restrictions were only for first round picks. Are there restrictions that would prevent us from offering him more than the MLE (assuming we have cap space and he warrants the contract)?

None - we could use cap space or any applicable exceptions (MLE, BAE) to sign him.

lobishome · Post #6 » by **lobishome** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 4:00 pm

I don't know is exists any restriction for US, but :

Tomorrow, Real Madrid vs. Panathinaikos . Internet: EUROLEAGUE.TV (20:45 CET)

Post #7 » by **C.lupus** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 5:00 pm

Danimals,
There's a good thread on the International board that Rev started (even has the same title). It should answer some your questions. I had it linked but then my internet crashed on me and I don't feel like going back over there right now.

Danimals · Post #8 » by **Danimals** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 7:07 pm

Thanks!

Danimals · Post #9 » by **Danimals** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 7:17 pm

Ok, I read Rev's thread.

It looks like best case scenario is for Pekovic to become Big Al. That is if he comes to the NBA and if he reaches his potential.

So I think we just keep Big Al because he already is himself and look to trade Pekovic's rights.

What teams need what he brings? What kind of package could we put together to get us more young talent or future picks? Or maybe in a larger deal that nets us a proven star...

hotshotschamp · Post #10 » by **hotshotschamp** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 7:23 pm

pekovic is well behind big al or kevin love in present game or potential.

He'll be a bench player in the nba.

tvwolves7 · Post #11 » by **tvwolves7** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 8:36 pm

hotshotschamp wrote:pekovic is well behind big al or kevin love in present game or potential.

He'll be a bench player in the nba.

hotshotschamp · Post #12 » by **hotshotschamp** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 8:43 pm

watch him play sometime...( you can get any game of his online, i suggest watching a few)

tell me has more upside/and talent than kevin love, al jefferson with a straight face.

Do it.

tvwolves7 · Post #13 » by **tvwolves7** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 8:52 pm

hotshotschamp wrote:watch him play sometime...( you can get any game of his online, i suggest watching a few)

tell me has more upside/and talent than kevin love, al jefferson with a straight face.

Do it.

was for him being a bench player in the NBA. If he does not work out for us as a team, he will be moved as an asset to a team that can start him. He is a strong enough player, to be a starter for one of the teams in the NBA.

Never stated he was better then Love or Big Al but if I did what would happen. Your, "Do it" comment is just hilarious. You realize you are trying to sound tough on the internet?

hotshotschamp · Post #14 » by **hotshotschamp** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 8:57 pm

Um.....

what's wrong with being a bench player in the NBA, I can name lots of very good bench players. That isn't so much a knock on him, most 2nd round picks would die to be a bench player in the NBA.

Sorry if I don't think he's a slam dunk starter in the NBA, but you I'm sure have seem him play much more to judge that. I think we'd be lucky if he turned into a good 6th or 7th man, a guy who can play 20 -25 minutes a night backing up Al/Love.

By all accounts he loves it over in Europe and is not dead set on even coming over to the nba period. Which could hurt his trade value if we ever wanted to move him. He makes very good money over there. I think he's the kind of player if he were to come over here, most likely would be used by our Gm as an asset to trade maybe to move up in the draft or packaged with someone for a player he desired.

I've seen lots of pekovic games online, at least 10. He's not a NBA starter on a good team, maybe a poor one, but I can't think of many teams he'd start on. Very limited athletically, not a great shot blocker or rebounder for his size. He's got some decent down low moves, but relies a lot on his brut strength, but against NBA defenders that will be marganalized.

Yes i'm so tough, you got it! Watch it!

tvwolves7 · Post #15 » by **tvwolves7** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 9:17 pm

hotshotschamp wrote:Um.....

what's wrong with being a bench player in the NBA, I can name lots of very good bench players. That isn't so much a knock on him, most 2nd round picks would die to be a bench player in the NBA.

Sorry if I don't think he's a slam dunk starter in the NBA, but you I'm sure have seem him play much more to judge that. I think we'd be lucky if he turned into a good 6th or 7th man, a guy who can play 20 -25 minutes a night backing up Al/Love.

Yes i'm so tough, you got it! Watch it!

You realize he was a 2nd round pick because he had 2 years left on his contract while in the draft, no buyout clause. Also, it is known that unless you picked him early he would never come over because of the rookie salary restrictions. As a 2nd round pick he can be offered any length or sum of money.

I agree it is not always a knock to be a bench player, but your tone was it is a given he is just a bench player, nothing more. When from what I have seen, read from multiple articles, and stats show that he is a viable player that will contribute at a starter level.

I know Rev sees him potentially starting here and us moving K. Love or Big Al. I see us moving him in a deal where he will be better suited and will become a starter for whomever team trades for him.

hotshotschamp · Post #16 » by **hotshotschamp** » Wed Nov 4, 2009 9:25 pm

I know about his situation, and he could cost a fair bit of money if he ever does come over, and I'm not sure he's the kind of player we should allocate our money too. We have bigger needs. I believe we are fine with Jefferson/Love downlow, and in the coming draft or two we can add another Big who is younger, and more athletic to our fold.

I agree with you, if we can trade him to a team who values him as a starter and will allow us to move up in the draft or maybe aquire a pick or player of need that would be perfect.

I think it's a safe bet to assume, our Gm views him more as an asset than a core player for the future. If Pekovic is willing in the future to come to the league in the future, it would be dependant on him wanting to play for a certain team, for a certain amount of money, because he has a good gig going for himself in Europe right now, where he is the man. He's a big fish in a smaller pond ( talent wise ), over here he's just another big.

Wolves2011 · Post #17 » by **Wolves2011** » Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:32 am

Biff Cooper wrote:My speculation. He seems like a very good NBA prospect. Probably the best center prospect in Europe. DraftExpress has a listing of top foreign players that have rights held by NBA teams, and he ranked either 2nd or 3rd (behind Josh Childress, probably behind Rubio also). He's coming off a year where he led his team Panathinaikos to both the Greek League and to the Euroleague championships and then followed it up by leading Montenegro to the championship of the 2nd division of the European Basketball Championships, sending them to 1st division next year. I think he has an opt out in his contract after this season, but he may have played himself into too big of a contract over there for us to compete with under the NBA CBA. We'll probably offer him MLE money to come over, but my hunch is he'll probably sign an extension over there and we'll need to wait another contract for his price to drop. He doesn't cost us anything to stay in Europe, so he's a good asset to have stashed.

Pekovic was ranked behind Childress and Splitter last year. This year he is probably 4th with Rubio moving in above him.

Pekovic was considered to be much better than Marcin Gortat, of Orlando. Gortat (restricted free agent) was offered the MLE by Dallas and Orlando matched last summer.

Pekovic has real trade value. Though he might not be a good fit with jefferson and Love... all three play "below the basket".

hotshotschamp · Post #18 » by **hotshotschamp** » Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:40 am

yeah he might have a good trade value, like you said he is fairly similar to the guys we have now, in that they aren't great athletes above the rim players.

Hell if you can move Rubio and Pekovic and land a top pick in the draft or a great wingman.....why not

lobishome · Post #19 » by **lobishome** » Thu Nov 5, 2009 8:40 pm

Now I am watching Madrid vs Panatinaikhos (?) - in the half time Pekovic 6 pts, 4 rbs but 5 turnovers and 2 fouls on attack.

This man is a trunk, slow and clumsy. Maybe in five years, without 40 lbs, changing his haircut ...

invno1 · Post #20 » by **invno1** » Thu Nov 5, 2009 9:22 pm

Didnt Rambis just say he had a big decision to make on Pekovic soon?