Luka Samanic - 2019 NBA Draft Prospect

[DPG21920]

For the record, I wouldn't be upset with Samanic at 19. He can look Nowitzki-ish at times, is athletic enough for the NBA and has a pretty high ceiling. Then again, there are times he looks terrible in some of the Slovenian tape I've watched and his stats are pedestrian at best. It's a difficult to put a value on him because a lot of his struggles in Europe revolve around him getting pushed around ... but in the modern day NBA, that contact is a foul. There's a chance that you put him in the NBA, work on his body a bit and he's a really good big. But there's also a chance he ends up a homeless man's Andrea Bargnani.

[Dejounte]

This dude knows how to speak Spanish. He will fit in real well in SA if he gets drafted by us.

[Degoat]

But wouldn’t everyone agree that of the international prospects it goes Sekou, Goga, Samanic in that order I’d much rather have Sekou or Goga

[cd021]

But wouldn’t everyone agree that of the international prospects it goes Sekou, Goga, Samanic in that order I’d much rather have Sekou or Goga

Sounds right tbh, but Sekou is projected to be a top 12 pick while Goga seems to be sliding and should be around at 19.

[timvp]

But wouldn’t everyone agree that of the international prospects it goes Sekou, Goga, Samanic in that order

Not necessarily. Sekou get kicked out of INSEP and he too has some pretty iffy tape. If he got kicked out of INSEP for legit reasons (anyone even halfway associated with TP or Boris could get the details), I could see taking him off the board. His talent isn't so overwhelming that you automatically ignore character flaws.

Goga is interesting but his slowness is a legit concern, especially if you project the getting smaller and faster from here on out.

If Sekou gets axed for character issues and Goga is deemed too slow, then Samanic enters the conversation...

[duncan2150]

I think you re too high on Sekou’s character issues. There is not a single report in France about some problems since he plays in French Pro A or Pro B.

One thing I can agree is ceiling, We can’t know now who will be better in some years.

But one sure thing goga or doumdouya have played better and in better compe ions than samanic.

[acoelho1]

For the record, I wouldn't be upset with Samanic at 19. He can look Nowitzki-ish at times, is athletic enough for the NBA and has a pretty high ceiling. Then again, there are times he looks terrible in some of the Slovenian tape I've watched and his stats are pedestrian at best. It's a difficult to put a value on him because a lot of his struggles in Europe revolve around him getting pushed around ... but in the modern day NBA, that contact is a foul. There's a chance that you put him in the NBA, work on his body a bit and he's a really good big. But there's also a chance he ends up a homeless man's Andrea Bargnani.

He has put on significant weight recently and he emphasized during the combine that he needs to show more toughness. At least he's aware of it and I thought he did well in his only scrimmage.

[timvp]

I think you re too high on Sekou’s character issues.

To be clear, I don't know whether Sekou has any character issues. He very well could not have any. I just know that it's at least notable that he got kicked out of the place (INSEP) that helped create and mold TP and Diaw.

[cd021]

Goga is interesting but his slowness is a legit concern, especially if you project the getting smaller and faster from here on out.

If Sekou gets axed for character issues and Goga is deemed too slow, then Samanic enters the conversation...

Isn't Gogas's quickness issues more to do with lateral quickness? Based in the tape I've seen, he actually looks fairly mobile rolling to the rim or attacking close outs.

It's a concern, on defense, but he does also look like a good rim protector so he does have a skill on that end that is a plus.

[kobyz]

Luka is very intrigued, could be hybrid forward in the mold of Pascal Siakam...

[FkLA]

I go back and forth with this dude. Sometimes he looks like ass and sometimes he looks like he can be a useful combo forward. I don't know if he has star potential though. Kind of feel like we could do better at 19, wouldn't mind him at 29 though. He's definitely not in Rui's class, imo.

[Big Empty]

I trust the FO they got a good track record on pics. Picks 12-25 are hard to predict seems like all are a crap shoot that have potential.

[BackHome]

Yeah honestly I think this draft is going to be crazy with trades with Atlanta, Flakers, Boston, and Philly all tying to make big moves. Not looking at trading anyone but if the right trade is offered I do hope the Spurs jump on it like they did to get KY.

[ceperez]

Isn't Gogas's quickness issues more to do with lateral quickness? Based in the tape I've seen, he actually looks fairly mobile rolling to the rim or attacking close outs.

It's a concern, on defense, but he does also look like a good rim protector so he does have a skill on that end that is a plus.

This all depends if he's being thought about the next Jokic.

[cutewizard]

Luka is very intrigued, could be hybrid forward in the mold of Pascal Siakam...

Hybrids galore

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I went on real GM and checked out his numbers and they weren't that bad. He just turned 19 this year which makes me feel a little good about him getting better than he already is.

I will say that reading some of the stuff posted here by folks who have seen him play a decent amount does concern me. Him not even contacting his team after the combine is also very disheartening and unprofessional to say the least. His small wingspan for his height also concerns me a bit because in the NBA he is most of the time going to be playing against guys who have monster wingspan's

I can understand the logic of drafting high potential players with the top pick and getting the most ready now guy with the lower 1st round pick.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/DejounteWave/sta...539333634?s=19

Seems like this is our guy at 19th. Then either Bazley / Roby at 29th. Roby had a workout with Cavs today and they pick before us at 29. So he may be gone by then.

[Dejounte]

Im not sure if this guy has even worked out for other teams. Have not seen any reports of it. Anyone ?

[Dejounte]

Luka is extremely tall

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLKSbCl...d=t8gs5lba2id4

[cd021]

Luka is extremely tall

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLKSbCl...d=t8gs5lba2id4

He is listed at 6'11, Rui is 6'8, so that looks about right. For his skillset that is pretty damn intriguing , despite his meh arm-span.

[look_at_g_shred]

Serious ? What's the difference between luka and bertans? Besides the obvious one (shooting stroke)

[cd021]

I went on real GM and checked out his numbers and they weren't that bad. He just turned 19 this year which makes me feel a little good about him getting better than he already is.

I will say that reading some of the stuff posted here by folks who have seen him play a decent amount does concern me. Him not even contacting his team after the combine is also very disheartening and unprofessional to say the least. His small wingspan for his height also concerns me a bit because in the NBA he is most of the time going to be playing against guys who have monster wingspan's

I can understand the logic of drafting high potential players with the top pick and getting the most ready now guy with the lower 1st round pick.

He does have some question marks but fewer than others who have been mocked to the Spurs. To me his biggest thing is whether he can become a high volume, high percentage, 3pt shooter- even though he isn't one now despite his form.

If he can then he has a chance to be a very good pick. He is a good rebounder based off his stats, apparently a decent to good defender, can score in the post and looks pretty good driving, not a bad skillset tbh.

Im not sure if this guy has even worked out for other teams. Have not seen any reports of it. Anyone ?

Haven't seen it if he has, sounds like he is in San Antonio for a private workout.

[cd021]

Serious ? What's the difference between luka and bertans? Besides the obvious one (shooting stroke)

He is a pretty good rebounder based off his numbers, sounds like a decent to good defender, can score in the post and looks pretty good driving, not as good of a shooter but seems like he can score in at least 3 ways already. Driving, posting and spotting up.

[look_at_g_shred]

He is a pretty good rebounder based off his numbers, sounds like a decent to good defender, can score in the post and looks pretty good driving, not as good of a shooter but seems like he can score in at least 3 ways already. Driving, posting and spotting up.

If we drafted him, could they play together? Or would it almost spell the end for Davis?

[Dejounte]

Serious ? What's the difference between luka and bertans? Besides the obvious one (shooting stroke)

Samanic has far better lateral agility/ can move his feet on D better than how Bertans looks when he tries to defend a quick player (he always trips on his feet)