Earlier today, the Oklahoma City Thunder broke the news that their standout 20-year-old, 6-foot-6 point guard would miss four to six weeks. This is particularly surprising, given his age and recent health scare. Photo courtesy NVL The 19-year-old Serbian was selected with the unanimous No. 12 overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. After missing his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL, there’s reason to question his long-term development and impact for the team.
The big man’s presence was felt instantly on the floor as he made his debut return for the Thunder’s preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets. He lived up to the hype by playing 31 feverish minutes. In this game specifically, he had 10 points and SEVEN assists. More importantly, his strong performance suggests that he can be an essential player for Oklahoma City moving forward. It was almost like a trailer to what fans will see from him next season.
While this has been a very encouraging start, the recent procedure has led to concerns about his status leading into the regular season. Thunder’s coaching staff made it clear just how important his recovery is. By focusing on his health now, they’re helping him make a greater and fuller contribution down the road. Even with this serious injury, the franchise is hopeful that this will not curb his development in the long term.
The young, dazzling point guard is from Serbia. Instead, he’s garnered headlines for his various rare, unique skill set and versatility on the court. His height and agility allow him to navigate through defenses effectively, making him an asset to the Thunder’s lineup. The team is confident that he will return even stronger once he has fully recovered. They’re hoping to get him to build on the momentum he established while coming up through the preseason.
As the Thunder prepare for the upcoming season, they will need to strategize around his absence while considering how to integrate him back into the lineup once he is cleared to play. The organization is committed to his long-term growth as a player. More than that, they view his huge upside as key to the team’s long-term future.
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