Draft Prospect: Nikola Pekovic

[Pero]

There's absolutely no way he'd come this year, he just signed a 3 year contract with Panathinaikos.

[timvp]

The second is Nikola Pekovic, a 22-year-old Montenegrin with a similar contract problem. Pekovic was little-known 12 months ago but absolutely dominated in the Euroleague this year.

My numbers from 2008 suggest he could start for most NBA teams tomorrow -- 18.3 points and 12.0 boards per 40 minutes, with 51.4 percent shooting and a 17.09 PER. I take this with a bit of a grain of salt, because his numbers from 2007 were terrible, but only a bit -- if it weren't for contracts I'd have him rated third on my board. Yes, third.

Unfortunately, you won't be hearing his name until much later. Pekovic signed a big-money deal with Panathanaikos in Athens -- reportedly for 4.5 million euros, which at the current exchange rate is about 300 billion dollars -- making it all but impossible for an NBA team to sign him under the rookie salary scale. As a result, he seems pegged for the early part of the second round. Nonetheless, if I'm the Timberwolves I take this guy at No. 31 before Adam Silver even gets to the podium.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/...hollinger_john

& @ being third on Hollinger's board.

Pekovic at 45 would be great value but he'll be long gone.

[Marcus Bryant]

& @ being third on Hollinger's board.

Pekovic at 45 would be great value but he'll be long gone.

That makes his Splitter assessment somewhat easier to take.

[InK]

Deserving of a bump tbh. Averaging 20 pts, 11.2 boards, 1.8 bl, 1.2 st in his last 5 games, impressive.

[temujin]

Seen this guy live 3 months ago, destroy the soft Burussis.

A beast.

[endrity]

Seen this guy live 3 months ago, destroy the soft Burussis.

A beast.

Oh snap, KBP is about to be go ape on your ass.

[temujin]

Oh snap, KBP is about to be go ape on your ass.

The Greek idiot can't afford the connection anymore.

[endrity]

The Greek idiot can't afford the connection anymore.

nah he just changed his name to Manu Forever, they can still get internet in Arkansas