Negotiations for Predrag Savovic's professional career all went according to plan. Savo move seen as
part of grand planThe guard signs a free-agent
contract with the NuggetsBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comAt least that was the opinion of Hawaii coach Riley Wallace.
Though Savovic's pro career bounced back and forth briefly between two continents, the former UH star finalized a free-agent contract with the Denver Nuggets yesterday.
Wallace said not being drafted on June 26 was part of the grand scheme that allowed the Nuggets to get Savovic.
"He'll get good quality minutes there as a rookie. He's a tour kid. He's talented," Wallace said. "They need players and he can shoot in the NBA. He shoots that NBA three well. Every pro I talked to here in New Jersey, who were here for the camps, they could not believe that he didn't get drafted.
"But it was better for him not to go in the first round if he didn't get drafted because then someone like Denver, that needs him, could pick him up. He's going to have a contract and it's guaranteed and everything. That's really good for him. He'll be in the NBA next year."
Savovic's agent Marc Cornstein declined to disclose the terms of the deal but did say it was comparable to what was being offered by a few of the elite clubs in Europe. Savovic was reportedly being offered a guaranteed contract that would be double the NBA minimum. He was anticipating being in Europe next season before the NBA re-entered the picture three days ago.
"I would say it basically matches it," Cornstein said. "Money was not a factor in this decision. The whole factor was is he going to have the real opportunity to play in the NBA next year?
"We were satisfied with what we got. He will be with the Denver Nuggets for 2002-03. He will be on the Denver Nuggets roster."
Savovic is at home in Yugoslavia and unavailable for comment.
The 6-foot-6, 212-pound guard will fly back to the U.S. tomorrow to report to the Nuggets' summer league team in Utah.
The All-American worked out for 15 NBA teams before the June 26 draft. He impressed several organizations and was predicted to go as early as the first round in a few mock drafts.
"It was one of the most disappointing moments of my life to see him sitting there with a new suit on and all ready to be drafted and then it didn't come," Wallace said. "He was a very disappointed person. It makes me happy for him now that he's going to be a pro because he's worked very, very hard. Guys like him are supposed to make it."
Wallace said that if the Rainbows are near a Nuggets game next season, he would go see Savovic play "in a minute."
"It helps our program and our players and everything to see that ... we've got two guys in the NBA at the same time. It's a big plus for our program," Wallace added.
The Rainbows coach wasn't the only happy person. Cornstein said Savovic was ecstatic with the news.
"The hard work was worth it. It paid off," Cornstein said. "He's thrilled. His dream is about to be realized. The way he got to this point will make him even more appreciative and more grateful for the opportunity than if he was drafted.
"The people in Hawaii already know this, he's an NBA player and now he's going to get the opportunity to prove it."
Savovic is Hawaii's all-time leader in 3-point goals (178) and the fourth-leading scorer with 1,414 points. He will join an organization with Hawaii ties. Former Rainbow Jarinn Akana is the director of player development/Asia scout for the Nuggets. In April, Akana put Savovic through workouts at Manoa before the predraft camps.
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