Wizards: Vukcevic playing in Europe for another year is the right decision
By Cem Yolbulan
The 42nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Tristan Vukcevic will have to wait another year before being a member of the Washington Wizards. According to Bojan Brezovac from Mozzart Sport, the Serbian big man will play for Partizan in the 2023-24 season. This is the right decision for both the 20-year-old and the Washington Wizards.
The Washington Wizards are already in a roster crunch. They have 16 guaranteed contracts on their books and have to cut or trade one player before the season starts. Adding Vukcevic would have complicated things further. Giving him the last two-way spot doesn’t make sense either as he is likely to get more valuable experience and higher-level competition playing in Euroleague.
Considering the Wizards’ lack of frontcourt depth, Vuckevic would have likely had a role this season. However, this may not have been the ideal situation for either side. Despite the impressive skillset and offensive production, Vukcevic still has ways to go as a defender. His Summer League performance demonstrated a need to adjust to the speed and athleticism of the NBA. Throwing him into the fire immediately could have exposed him and tanked the team’s defense.
Instead, Vukcevic now has a chance to continue working under one of the greatest basketball minds in the world in Partizan, Zeljko Obradovic. The winningest coach in Euroleague history, Obradovic could do wonders for Vukcevic’s game. Plus, playing around heady veterans and vying for domestic and European titles as a part of one of the best teams in Europe will prepare Vukcevic better for his NBA career.
Vukcevic already spent last season with Partizan, playing 6.6 minutes per game in 12 Euroleague games, and playing 14.8 minutes per game in 22 ABA League appearances. The Wizards fans should keep an eye out for his playing time next season. If he can gain Obradovic’s trust and earn more minutes, that is a great sign of what he can become in the NBA.
Moreover, let’s not forget another 2nd-round pick named Nikola Jokic spent one season in Serbia after getting drafted in 2014. Hopefully, their careers continue following the same path.
