The Spurs had been pioneers in trying abroad for expertise. Within the contending years below Gregg Popovich, they scouted the FIBA recreation properly and added rotation gamers who realized their commerce in Europe.
Since these days the league has caught up and gamers are in groups’ radars early. Increasingly more worldwide prospects get drafted and be part of the league shortly, and those who can’t carry out on the highest degree are discarded. It’s tougher now to search out uncovered gems abroad.
However what about some extremely adorned gamers who made the leap and easily didn’t have the chance to regulate? If the group is trying so as to add some veterans to interchange those it has misplaced, having a look at some European standouts on brief, team-friendly offers may very well be value it on this transitional interval.
Vasilije Micic may very well be the massive combo guard the Spurs want
Final season the teaching workers tried to play larger ball handlers at level guard, with Jeremy Sochan after which Malaki Branham being the lead guards. In previous years, they used Josh Richardson and Josh Primo as major ball handlers off the bench. Tre Jones ended up because the starter as a result of the others struggled, however the thought of a giant playmaker is clearly interesting to Gregg Popovich.
Enter Vasilije Micic. The 30-year-old 6’5 level guard joined the Thunder final season after being topped Euroleague MVP however couldn’t crack the rotation for a contender. He got here off the bench for 30 video games and struggled with scoring and effectivity, which wasn’t vastly stunning for his adaptation interval. Then he was traded to the Hornets and his numbers improved in a much bigger position, together with his help share particularly climbing closely. Micic, who didn’t discover his stroke from exterior within the NBA, additionally labored with the Hornets’ shot physician regardless of capturing over 37 % from exterior for his profession, which exhibits he’s humble and prepared to proceed to be taught. A veteran with no ego attempting to dwell his NBA dream might carry a distinct perspective to a younger locker room and Micic has the talent to assist on offense.
The problems with Micic come on the defensive finish, the place he can wrestle to remain in entrance of faster gamers. The Spurs have good point-of-attack defenders that might use assist creating in Jeremy Sochan and Blake Wesley so it shouldn’t be too arduous to cover Micic on spot-up shooters whereas he shares playmaking duties.
Micic has yet one more assured 12 months in his contract value near $8 million after which a membership choice, so he’s basically on an expiring deal. If he works out, the Spurs can preserve him for affordable and if he doesn’t, they will use his contract as wage ballast on a commerce or waive him. The Hornets shouldn’t be too hooked up to him however would possibly need to wait till after the Olympics to maneuver him to see if he can enhance his commerce worth. Nonetheless, the Spurs have loads of second-rounders to make a deal occur.
Sasha Vezenkov might unfold the ground for Victor Wembanyama
Spacing and out of doors capturing have been a extreme challenge for the Spurs in recent times. Too lots of their gamers can’t shoot or usually are not constant sufficient to punish defenses that overhelp or pack the paint. Final season San Antonio took the eleventh most threes per recreation however ranked twenty eighth in three-point capturing share, which exhibits that opponents had been fantastic with permitting them to tug the set off from exterior as a result of they knew they wouldn’t make them pay.
The group as an entire must do higher in that space for the offense to click on, however Sasha Vezenkov might assist the Spurs rather a lot when it comes to spacing. The 2022 Euroleague MVP joined the Kings final season however couldn’t carve out a spot for himself and ended up enjoying simply 12 minutes a recreation and showing in 42 video games, partially due to accidents. In that small of a task, the 6’8 energy ahead nonetheless managed to launch 120 threes and join on 45, to complete the 12 months as a 37.5 % shooter from exterior. The one two gamers with a greater capturing share in final season’s Spurs’ roster had been Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman, the blokes Vezenkov could be changing. Vezenkov, who shot 40 % in his profession in Europe, is a quantity shooter who can fireplace on spot-up conditions or on the transfer, coming off screens or after handoffs, so defenses should respect him.
As with Micic, protection is a matter. Vezenkov is an efficient defensive rebounder however might get focused on the pick-and-roll, particularly if the Spurs proceed to modify these actions. Having Wembanyama on the again line ought to assist mitigate his particular person points and his expertise ought to enable him to play properly sufficient on the group degree to keep away from being a legal responsibility.
Vezenkov, similar to Micic, has yet one more assured 12 months on his contract and a group choice for the 12 months after. The Kings have an costly roster and are reportedly within the strategy of parting methods with him, since he’s not completely happy in Sacramento and he’s not a precedence for the group. If the Spurs don’t suppose Sandro Mamukelashvili can fill the position of stretch ahead, Vezenkov may very well be , low-cost choice.
Micic and Vezenkov are too outdated and flawed to develop into part of the Spurs’ core, however they might doubtlessly assist in the brief time period as different veterans have. Their first 12 months within the league was disappointing, however their atmosphere and the adjustment interval from switching leagues can no less than partially be blamed for his or her struggles. Each veterans now have a season within the NBA below their belts, so they need to be higher subsequent 12 months, particularly in the event that they get to play for Gregg Popovich, who has expertise coping with worldwide gamers.
The 2 former Euroleague MVPs shouldn’t be main targets or priorities for the Spurs, however they’re confirmed skills that could be undervalued available in the market. As low threat additions, they may very well be value a flyer if the entrance workplace needs expertise and upside with out having to make long-term commitments.
