Former Warriors center Ognjen Kuzmic has signed with Panathinaikos of Greece, the team announced (on Twitter; translation via Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). Golden State last week withdrew its qualifying offer of more than $1.147MM to Kuzmic, making him an unrestricted free agent, though the power to match other offers that the Warriors possessed before that move wouldn’t have precluded the native of Bosnia from jumping back overseas. It’s unclear if Kuzmic’s new deal is as lucrative for him as it would have been if he’d taken the qualifying offer from Golden State while it was on the table.
Regardless, it’s no surprise to see the 7-footer exit the NBA, as he saw action in only 36 games over two years in the league, both with Golden State. He logged significantly more time on D-League assignment, making 57 appearances for the Santa Cruz Warriors. I speculated earlier this month that Kuzmic would sign overseas.
The Warriors reportedly reached a deal with shooting guard Ian Clark earlier today, but it’s not clear if that represented the final door closing on any hope Kuzmic had of returning to the team. Regardless, Panathinaikos figures to give Kuzmic a chance to remain on the NBA radar, as the club also added NBA veterans Miroslav Raduljica and Nick Calathes earlier this month.
Do you think we’ll see Ognjen Kuzmic in the NBA again? Leave a comment to let us know.
I’d say there’s a good chance we’ll see him in the league at some point simply because you can’t teach height! He has some skills and just like any player if given more opportunity and playing time the more u can Excell. Case and point look at David Lee’s season this past year. His numbers were only that low for one reason; not much playing time!!! And when u are given less time it makes it that much harder to perform consistently and become relaxed and find your grove and comfort in the court.
I rather see a player has athletic ability than kusum can.
Take the marbles out of your fingers.
Goodbye and thanks Onion!
Watched a game between Barcelona and Panatheikos today but didn’t see Kuzmic on the floor or the bench.