Tag: Luka Samanic

Report: Boston Celtics to sign Luka Samanic to training camp deal

The Croatian forward’s G League play with the Westchester Knicks hints he might be an option for the Celtics to help weather Timelord’s absence.

The Boston Celtics are reportedly planning to sign big man Luka Samanic to a nonguaranteed training camp deal according to new reporting from CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning. The 6-foot-10 forward was previously a No. 19 overall pick for the San Antonio Spurs in 2019, with career averages of 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in his two seasons in the league with San Antonio.

A career 29.4% 3-point shot at the NBA level, Samanic’s G League play could easily convince one that the Croatian big man is worth a shot as a depth option for the Celtics. There, Samanic logged an impressive 27.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from deep on nearly 6 attempts per game with the Westchester Knicks in 2021-22.

At just 22 years old, it seems likely Samanic could have plenty more room to grow into a rotation role with the right opportunity.

The question for Boston is whether the Celtics are that opportunity with their current need for big man depth and shooting.

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Spurs rookie Luka Samanic had a forgettable NBA debut on Friday

Samanic logged his first minutes in the NBA on Friday night as the Spurs lost to the Nets.

San Antonio Spurs rookie Luka Samanic made his official NBA debut on Friday night on the road during a 139-120 loss to the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center.

With the Spurs trailing by 25 points entering the fourth quarter, head coach Gregg Popovich emptied his bench and inserted several of his first-year players into the game, including Samanic, Keldon Johnson and Quinndary Weatherspoon.

Samanic played all 12 minutes in the final period and missed all four shot attempts from the field to finish scoreless in the game. The 19th overall pick recorded three assists and two rebounds to finish a plus-six while on the court.

The Spurs recently called up Samanic from the G League after the rookie had spent the entire season with the Austin Spurs. In 32 games played, Samanic averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while he appears to be set on staying in the NBA for the time being.

Samanic recently said that he understands he has to be patient but he pointed to other teammates that were in the G League before him that are playing well now in the NBA. While he went scoreless, the performance likely just felt good for the rookie to get his first taste of NBA action.

With the Spurs on the verge of falling out of the playoff picture, playing time could open up for Samanic which could prove to be beneficial for his development as the season winds down.

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Luka Samanic encouraged by SA Spurs teammates who have played in G League

San Antonio Spurs players including Lonnie Walker IV, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White played in the G League, something Samanic keeps in mind.

The San Antonio Spurs called up rookie Luka Samanic on Tuesday. With a chance to get his first NBA experience Wednesday, Samanic told MySA he sees the benefit of playing in the G League on the Austin Spurs.

He looks at teammates on the NBA team and see they’ve succeeded in part because of their G League start.

“You have to be patient and just trust what they say, and look at what everybody did before,” Samanic said. “Lonnie (Walker IV), Dejounte (Murray) and Derrick (White). So why not me?”

In the 2016-17 season, Murray played 15 games for Austin, where he averaged 17.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists.

The next year, White spent 24 games in the G League and averaged 20.1 points per game.

Last season, Walker played 29 games in Austin and averaged 16.6 points.

All three have contributed to the San Antonio team this year.

Samanic is averaging 15.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28.4 minutes for Austin.

He has yet to appear in an NBA game after being selected No. 19 overall in the 2019 draft by the Spurs.

Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been ruled out Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, which could allow the 6-foot-11 Samanic to get onto the court for the first time in his career.

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Luka Samanic pours in a career-high in loss with the Austin Spurs

The first-round pick turned in his best game of the season on assignment in the G League on Monday night.

San Antonio Spurs rookie Luka Samanic recorded a career-high 27 points on assignment with the Austin Spurs in the G League Monday night in a loss to the Memphis Hustle.

The 19th overall pick added 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal for his 10th double-double of the season in the 115-111 loss. Samanic finished by shooting 12-of-17 from the field.

Samanic, who just turned 20 earlier this month, has spent the entire season in the G League as the organization prioritizes his development. He has had an up and down season, showing flashes of his potential in the process.

The 6-foot-11 forward has proven to be able to handle the ball and finish near the basket this season. Samanic is shooting 31.6% from 3-point range and could eventually turn into a legitimate floor spacer with an improved shot.

The Spurs certainly were impressed with his skill set by taking him in the middle of the first round in June. Samanic still needs to fill out his frame as the organization has established a new workout routine for him with an improved diet to bulk up.

In 26 games played, Samanic is averaging 14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

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