The Warriors have signed one of their second-round picks, forward/center Alen Smailagic, to his first NBA contract, according to NBA.com’s official transactions log. The team also locked up its other second-rounder, Eric Paschall, as we detailed on Monday night.
[RELATED: 2019 NBA Draft Pick Signings]
Smailagic’s name began to surface prior to the draft as a probable second-rounder target for the Warriors. The 18-year-old Serbian played in the G League for Santa Cruz – Golden State’s affiliate – in 2018/19 but wasn’t draft-eligible until this year. He was shut down early in the pre-draft process and was “hidden” in Serbia from the rest of the NBA.
Despite trading for the No. 41 pick prior to the draft, the Warriors ultimately decided they’d have to move even higher to secure Smailagic. The club sent two second-round picks and $1MM in cash to the Pelicans in order to nab the No. 39 selection and draft him.
Details of Smailagic’s first NBA contract aren’t yet known, but he and Paschall will both likely earn the rookie minimum ($898K) in 2019/20 in order to help keep the Warriors below their $138.9MM hard cap. Smailagic’s deal could go beyond two years if Golden State used its mid-level exception.
What is the comparison for this kid? I even read a Forbes article on him and how the Warriors are enamored with him.
He’ll need to fill out his frame first, but I’ve heard Jokic and Love.
18 Y O and playing against much older competition. He looks more like a Dirk than anyone else. It will take a year or 2 before he is NBA ready. GSW did a good job getting younger and faster this year.
I’m excited to see what this guy can do.
Reminds me of Vladimir Radmanovic with the 6’10 frame and outside game.
Perfect comp. he’s a stretch four who isn’t very athletic
Would people commenting on unknowns please at least watch the you-tube highlight videos? Smailagic (Allen SMY-luh-geech) is only developing an outside game. He lurches when he runs but does have a natural shooting motion. A commenter on a previous article who watched him in Gleague said he was a bruiser, not special yet. Most say not ready yet.
Not Radmanovic (graceful, leaner, sets up on the perimeter); Love (confident, takes his time); or Jokic (natural baller who had baby fat).
Maybe Dirk, but Smails releases quicker and lower than Dirk. Since it’s a fine smooth motion he has, they probably won’t change it.
He is a Euro willing to get physical, 18, and has a nice shot but prefers to drive. Just based on watching highlights, he might be okay at that too. At least, no cement shoes.
The little bit I’ve seen of him in summer league has been entertaining. Goes hard to bucket, busts his butt on D, and shoots well. He handles the ball a lot so it seems GS wants him to work on his ball handling. He had a tremendous shot block yesterday. Not sure when he’ll be with the varsity during the season but I think he’ll be a fan favorite someday.