Former Florida State Standout Traded To Los Angeles Clippers For Cash Considerations

Former Florida State center Balsa Koprivica’s draft rights have been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash, per the Clippers' official Twitter page. He had originally been drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2021 NBA Draft with the 57th overall pick and then later traded to the Detroit Pistons, but hasn’t played in the NBA yet outside of the Summer League.

After two years in Tallahassee, Koprivica declared for the NBA Draft, but has spent time with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia’s basketball league, the same program his father played for. He’s been solid, but unspectacular there, averaging 6.7 PPG and 4.9 RPG in two seasons.

These draft and stash trades happen more frequently than most think, especially for cap restricted teams like the Clippers. It costs very little to keep his draft rights, and they acquired him for $2.1 million. If Koprivica ever plays in the NBA, Los Angeles got him for very little, and if he decides to stay overseas his whole career, they didn’t give up any actual assets to get him. It hasn’t been announced if he’ll play in this year’s summer league or not.

Koprivica really broke into the scene his sophomore season at Florida State, when he averaged 9.1 PPG and 5.6 RPG in just 20 minutes per game while shooting 59.9% from the floor, displaying impressive touch around the basket and good mobility for his size. It surprised everyone in the program and many in the NBA circles when he left after his sophomore season. Some draft experts were surprised he was drafted at all in the 2021 Draft.

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