With the 42nd-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards had selected the 20-year-old Serbian big man Tristan Vukcevic. The skilled combo big with an impressive 7-foot frame and 7’2 wingspan has the potential to be a long-term piece for the Wizards.
How Vukcevic’s game is going to translate to the NBA and whether he is going to play for the Wizards immediately in the 2023-24 season remains unknown.
What is known, however, is the fact that Vukcevic arrived in Washington, DC, and is excited to be here. He shared a photo of a card welcoming him to Washington in his Instagram story.
This doesn’t mean that the Washington Wizards have agreed on a contract buyout with his team, Partizan Belgrade. This would reportedly cost the Wizards $1 million plus the guaranteed rookie deal for Vukcevic.
Considering the roster crunch the Wizards are currently in, they could easily choose to stash him overseas for another year and bring him in next season. When asked on draft night, the Wizards GM Will Dawkins said, “TBD on that one” about Vukcevic’s chances of being a part of the roster in the 2023-24 season, and added:
"“I have a really good relationship with his agency, so we’ll get that figured out. I do know he will be in Washington, D.C. for a little bit and we’ll get to see him and get a feel for the gym and the area. We’ll let those conversations take care of themselves. I will say he’s excited to be here”"
This visit by Vukcevic is most likely for him to meet the team and get to know the organization and the city. How the conversations go could determine Vukcevic’s future with the team.
One possibility could be bringing in Vukcevic for the Summer League and making a decision afterward. The Washington Wizards play in the Las Vegas Summer League and their first game is on July 8. They could see how their draft pick does there before making a final determination.
Whether Vukcevic immediately comes over to the NBA or the Wizards have to wait another year to sign him to a contract, it is an exciting time for both Tristan and the Wizards fans. Let’s hope that his NBA trajectory is similar to another Serbian big man drafted in the 40s of the draft.