Sports
NBA Teams Expressing Interest In Arturs Zagars – hoopsrumors.com
Latvia’s Arturs Zagars is generating NBA interest after his standout performance in the World Cup, sources tell Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.
The 23-year-old guard led Latvia to a fifth-place finish in its first-ever World Cup appearance and set a tournament record with 17 assists in the team’s final game against Lithuania. Zagars averaged 12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 25 minutes per game as Latvia defeated established powers such as France, Spain and Brazil.
That showing will increase the opportunities for Zagars, who is a free agent after spending last season with Nevėžis Kėdainiai in the Lithuanian Basketball League. Urbonas states that BC Wolves Vilnius of Lithuania had interest in signing Zagars before the World Cup began, but now it has competition from several top EuroLeague clubs. Some NBA teams are also considering a two-way contract for Zagars, according to Urbonas’ sources.
“I think it’s a fair shot. It’s all about timing, chance and opportunity,” Latvian teammate Davis Bertans said about Zagars’ NBA prospects. “Everything can happen if you end up at the right place at the right time. He has all the tools to do it. He’s relentless, as you can see. They’re putting their best defender on him every single night, and he still delivers for us.”
At 6’3″, Zagars is capable of handling either backcourt position, but he’s primarily used as a point guard. Urbonas notes that he plays with a swagger and is willing to take control of the offense, either by scoring or creating opportunities for teammates. He got a taste of NBA basketball while playing for the Wizards during the 2022 Las Vegas Summer League.
Zagars has played professionally in Europe since 2017, but his progress has been slowed by injuries, including a torn ligament in his ankle that required surgery in 2019. He withdrew from that year’s NBA draft, joining teams in Estonia and Germany before landing in Lithuania. He was hurt again late last season and wasn’t considered definite to play in the World Cup until coach Luca Banchi got to see him in person.
“Only in the training camp I understood that his body was responding well,” Banchi said. “Before, there were question marks, but the guy worked seriously during the summer and probably achieved so much that he couldn’t even predict himself.”
Teams being interested in Zagar instead of Liliard should say something
Yep.
That makes absolutely no sense.
Yes definitely. $60 million per season or a two-way contract and taking a flyer on a guy. Yep tells us a lot.
Plus this guy is free.. you don’t have to give up three first round picks and three young guys. It’s one phone call and a $75,000 risk
It’s one phone call? Wtf makes you think he wants to go to Portland?
One phone call is all it takes to find that out, is it not? I don’t understand the abrasion and hysteria? It’s a phone call. You think it’s more?
“Hello this is an NBA team and we are inviting you to training camp and we’ll give you a two-way contract. Are you interested yes or no?”
“Thanks I’ll get back to you in a few days.”
The end.
Where is the Damian Lillard situation is a lot more than one phone call. Hey we’re interested in trading Lillard to you blah blah blah okay put together a package and call us next week blah blah blah 3 months go by and 100 phone calls. See the difference?
Cavs need to replace Rubio. Right now they’re looking at Ty Jerome and Craig Porter,Jr. Bring this guy in and see if he can beat them out for the job.
The other reason the Cavs should consider him is so they’ll have Zagars and Evan on the team. Then their marketing department can use that song, “In the year 2025.”
This could be the all time greatest post I ever read on this site…
In todays game. Ast guys don’t get enough credit. Now everyone is looking for shooters. 3 and D guys. I’ll take an ast guy over a shooter every day. You can always learn to shoot better. But having vision and a tight handle. Are not as easy to get better at.
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