Los Angeles Clippers: 5 goals for Milos Teodosic in 2017-18

1. Finish top five in Rookie of the Year voting

Remember, even though he’s 30, Milos Teodosic is an NBA rookie. His European production coupled with that rookie status gives him a strong case to potentially win Rookie of the Year.

However, Teodosic enters the league at the same time as one of the strongest draft classes in years. Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson and Dennis Smith, Jr. all have decent shots at winning the award. In addition, Ben Simmons, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, is also eligible after sitting out last season. The competition is undoubtedly going to be tough.

But Teodosic’s age is an advantage. He has a better understanding of the game from his many years of professional experience. He also played at a high level against that competition. Teodosic even has some pseudo-NBA experience due to the Olympics, other FIBA play and a couple of NBA exhibition games.

Harnessing these things would give him a leg up on the less-experienced rookies that still need to figure out pro ball for the first time.

Winning Rookie of the Year would make him only the second European player to win the award. The first was Spain’s Pau Gasol in 2001. It would also make him, by far, the oldest winner. That record is currently held by then-24 year-olds David Robinson (1990) and Elgin Baylor (1959).

Next: Top 10 candidates for the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year Award

If Milos Teodosic can adjust to the NBA schedule and skill level, maintain his turnovers and improve a bit on defense, he could certainly make history and snatch the Rookie of the Year Award from the rest of the league’s young guns.