Report: Jazz Sign Former Spurs Center Luka Samanic to 10-Day Deal
On the heels of four straight losses, the Utah Jazz are kicking the tires on the Croatia-born Luka Samanic, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
"The Utah Jazz are signing center Luka Samanic to a 10-day contract out of the NBA G League's Maine Celtics, sources tell The Athletic and Stadium. Samanic is averaging 20.6 points and 10.8 rebounds in G League," Charania tweeted on Tuesday.
Between the NBA and G League, the 6-foot-10 Samanic has three previous pro stops, one with the San Antonio Spurs (2019-21), Westchester Knicks (G League), and another with the Maine Celtics (G). Boston signed him last September, only to waive him three weeks later. He re-signed with the Celtics' G League club shortly after.
Samanic has averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game for his NBA career. He'll now get 10 days to prove to Utah that he's deserving of more than a cup of coffee.
Point guard Kris Dunn worked his way into the Jazz lineup via the 10-day contract path. After signing Dunn to a second 10-day, Utah gave the veteran a two-year deal.
That's what could happen for Samanic if he's able to play his cards right and circumstances in Utah allow for it. The Jazz aren't lacking in the big category, with 7-foot All-Star Lauri Markkanen and Rookie of the Year Walker Kessler leading the way.
Similar to Markkanen, the 6-foot-11 Kelly Olynyk brings a versatile skill set to the table relative to his size. Then there's Udoka Azubuike, who's received an uptick in playing time of late.
With news breaking (confirming the obvious) of the Jazz shutting down their starting backcourt for the season, what remains of the schedule is likely to be structured with a focus on development. This is an exceedingly young roster with tremendous upside.
What Utah lacks is experience. The Jazz will utilize this final stretch of the season, it seems, to balance those scales as best they can.
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