Golden State Warriors: Team Wants To Bring Over Ognjen Kuzmic

After being selected late in the NBA draft last year, Ognjen Kuzmic is receiving attention by the Golden State Warriors to join the team next year.

Standing 7’1″ and weighing 231 pounds, the 23-year-old draftee has athleticism and defensive post moves that the Warriors saw to potentially be a key contribution down the road once he gets his NBA legs. He’s currently under contract with Unicaja Malaga, a Spanish League team that also participates in the Euroleague.

According to a recent report by La Opinion de Malaga, the Warriors are in negotiations with the team to buy out Kuzmic’s contract to bring him over, but the team is rather reluctant to let go of him already. Kuzmic also believes that he should stay at least another for the experience which will make him a better player for next year’s opportunity in Golden State.

Kuzmic wasn’t able to play in the summer league as planned due to a right ankle bone bruise, but apparently the Warriors still see his ceiling as high enough that they need to help him reach it right away in Golden State. Last year he averaged 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game with FIATC Joventut.

While most European players are given a few years to hone their skills overseas, Golden State’s current situation seems to fit for Kuzmic.

Festus Ezeli underwent knee surgery that will keep him out of the start of the season, Andris Biedrins was traded to the Utah Jazz in the move that cleared the way for Andre Iguodala, Andrew Bogut is consistent at being injured and David Lee is still facing issues with his hip.

All these moves spell out opportunity for Kuzmic.

While the idea of Kuzmic in a Warriors uniform for the 2013-14 season looks pretty bleak right now, it seems as though they’ve gotten rights on a player with potential for many to look back and think of what a steal he was at No. 52 overall.

If he doesn’t come over next season, Europe is still a very solid option for development where he’ll have one more year to try to dominate the competition before facing the NBA.