Igor Rako?evi? has an NBA offer

Post #1 » by **Hassassin** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:15 pm

According to Belgrade's "Sport" magazine, Igor Rakocevic, recent winner of the King's Cup with Tau Ceramica, has a chance to return to the NBA next season. The magazine says that Rakocevic has an offer for 12 million dollars for three years with a franchise in the US league, something which would be difficult for him to get in Europe.

Asked about it yesterday this newspaper, Rakocevic confirmed that "there are possibilities of returning," but added that nothing has been decided yet. "I thought my time in the NBA was closed six years ago when I played there, but there is an interesting offer that I will look at, the same as the others I have. I'm probably going into my final big contract and I have to think hard about what I do," Igor Rakocevic, who played with the Timberwolves in the 2002-03 season, said to MD.

Tau Ceramica is ready to "throw out the house through the window" to renew the Serbian guard (at first appearance, the offer seems to be for two years), but the Euroleague's and ACB's current scoring leader is not without offers. In light of his excellent season, Greek and Russian clubs have already made their initial offers with the player but will have a tough go at it competing with an NBA team that appears to be in the Eastern Conference.

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RomaniaLuvTR · Post #2 » by **RomaniaLuvTR** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:32 pm

i hope it`s not toronto...

Rasho Brezec · Post #3 » by **Rasho Brezec** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:28 pm

$4M per year for an undersized SG? Sure, he's a great shooter, but you can get many similar players for far less money.

Post #4 » by **Hassassin** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:57 pm

Unofficial sources say that Rakocevic has an offer from Houston Rockets for a three year contract worth around 12 milion dollars.

Link

Post #5 » by **jman3134** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:41 pm

Not a bad deal at all. I would love to have this Euroleague star on the Grizz. But, if it is the Rockets, then they are attracting some nice talent. I mean they have to offer enough money to pull him out of his comfort zone. (which he has certainly found again overseas) It's not like you can offer some of these guys the minimum when they are stars in the International game. That's at least how I feel about it.

Jugoplastika89-90-91 · Post #6 » by **Jugoplastika89-90-91** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 5:23 pm

Rasho Brezec wrote:$4M per year for an undersized SG? Sure, he's a great shooter, but you can get many similar players for far less money.

Similar yes, but equal/better? I don't think so.

Undrafted Rook · Post #7 » by **Undrafted Rook** » Tue Mar 3, 2009 7:30 pm

jman3134 wrote:Not a bad deal at all. I would love to have this Euroleague star on the Grizz. But, if it is the Rockets, then they are attracting some nice talent. I mean they have to offer enough money to pull him out of his comfort zone. (which he has certainly found again overseas) It's not like you can offer some of these guys the minimum when they are stars in the International game. That's at least how I feel about it.

I doubt Rakocevic has serious interest to play in the NBA anymore, unless some team breaks the bank to get him. More likely he and his agent are floating these things around to milk up the price for the next contract.

But I do think he still has the tools to do well in the NBA.

Post #8 » by **jman3134** » Tue Mar 3, 2009 10:04 pm

^ That would not be a shock either. This has been done before.

I do believe that everyone's ultimate goal is to play in the NBA. But, then again, once you have already done that and were unsuccessful, it may be best to play where you feel the most comfortable. (because that's where you will achieve your most success)

Undrafted Rook · Post #9 » by **Undrafted Rook** » Tue Mar 3, 2009 11:09 pm

jman3134 wrote:I do believe that everyone's ultimate goal is to play in the NBA. But, then again, once you have already done that and were unsuccessful, it may be best to play where you feel the most comfortable. (because that's where you will achieve your most success)

I think almost any american player would rather be 11th or 12th man on NBA roster than a star somewhere else. Only execption are probably the ones who didn't make it to the NBA at first try and are now so established in Europe that the money is better over here.

Western European players who grew up during the Jordan era are problably more or less the same, and players outside of Europe.

But I think some players from traditional European powerhouses like Lithuania, Greece and the Balkans don't see the NBA as their ultimate goal growing up. These players aspire to become established in here, and after that if there's interest from NBA some will make the jump, but not everybody.

KWSN-Men · Post #10 » by **KWSN-Men** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 8:04 pm

His season this year in Spain is far better than anything Rudy Fernandez ever did there. I am sure plenty of NBA teams are watching him.

Post #11 » by **jman3134** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 8:12 pm

He is also much more experienced than Rudy was though.

KWSN-Men · Post #12 » by **KWSN-Men** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 8:28 pm

jman3134 wrote:He is also much more experienced than Rudy was though.

And much more skilled in offense and also even more athletic probably. So I would think that surely some NBA teams are watching him. I would guess the Raptors.

brassviews · Post #13 » by **brassviews** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 10:56 pm

He reminds me of Ben Gordon.

Undrafted Rook · Post #14 » by **Undrafted Rook** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 11:17 pm

Rudy has a legit NBA 2guard size though. Rakocevic is more skilled basketball player no doubt, to me Rudy looks like the better athlete though. Rudy also has that flair and marketability going for him.

sorokii · Post #15 » by **sorokii** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 4:35 pm

talkbasket wrote:His season this year in Spain is far better than anything Rudy Fernandez ever did there. I am sure plenty of NBA teams are watching him.

LOL

Please don´t compare Rudy´s teammates with Igor´s. Rudy made a normal team go champs. Igor is playing in one of the best teams of Europe. And Rudy last season was unstoppable.

EuroFan · Post #16 » by **EuroFan** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 4:55 pm

So is Rakocevic this season.

Post #17 » by **jman3134** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 7:33 pm

Do you think NBA teams are waiting for him to perform like this again next season before they all come out with fat contract offers? I sort of feel like a few teams might have shown interest and he is using this for financial leverage in his bargaining in Europe.

Undrafted Rook · Post #18 » by **Undrafted Rook** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 9:58 pm

jman3134 wrote:Do you think NBA teams are waiting for him to perform like this again next season before they all come out with fat contract offers? I sort of feel like a few teams might have shown interest and he is using this for financial leverage in his bargaining in Europe.

He'll probably sign a longer deal after this season if he stays in Europe. I could see him taking a shorter deal from an NBA team if the money is reasonable compared to what Euroleague teams offer. If things don't work out in the NBA he can still get a big contract in Europe after a year or two. If things work out in the States he has enough career left for the next bigger deal in the NBA.

KWSN-Men · Post #19 » by **KWSN-Men** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 10:21 pm

sorokii wrote:
talkbasket wrote:His season this year in Spain is far better than anything Rudy Fernandez ever did there. I am sure plenty of NBA teams are watching him.

LOL

Please don´t compare Rudy´s teammates with Igor´s. Rudy made a normal team go champs. Igor is playing in one of the best teams of Europe. And Rudy last season was unstoppable.

Rudy didn't win the Spanish championship last year. Rakocevic's team won it. Rudy won the Eurocup, but it's easier to win that than it is to win the domestic leagues of Spain, Russia, Italy, or Greece. And it is in no way comparable to the Euroleague.

KWSN-Men · Post #20 » by **KWSN-Men** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 10:22 pm

Undrafted Rook wrote:Rudy has a legit NBA 2guard size though. Rakocevic is more skilled basketball player no doubt, to me Rudy looks like the better athlete though. Rudy also has that flair and marketability going for him.

Yeah Rudy has much better size. Although Rakocevic can play point guard but he's better as a 2. But I would think Rakocevic is a little more athletic.