Savovic to become Nugget
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Predrag Savovic's basketball career went a mile high yesterday.
The former University of Hawai'i basketball star reached a free-agent agreement with the Denver Nuggets yesterday, ending weeks of negotiations with several teams from the NBA and Europe.
"He will be a member of the Denver Nuggets this season," said Savovic's New York-based agent, Marc Cornstein. "We got something finalized and we're glad to say that Predrag will get a chance to showcase his talents in the NBA."
Cornstein said Savovic will sign a one-year guaranteed contract, with an option for a second year, in the "Mile High City" of Denver this weekend. The guaranteed contract means that Savovic is assured a roster spot with the Nuggets for at least one year.
Cornstein did not want to reveal financial details, but Savovic will likely earn between $300,000 and $350,000 as a NBA rookie.
"All Predrag wanted was an opportunity to play in the NBA," Cornstein said. "Once we got a guarantee from Denver, we were willing to sign."
Savovic, who is originally from Yugoslavia, was leaning toward signing a guaranteed contract with an elite team from Italy last week before the Nuggets made their offer.
"I felt like he belonged in the NBA from the start," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "When you have the chance to chase your dream, you chase it. That's what he's doing."
Cornstein added: "Financially, it's not really fair to compare. He might have got a little more money in Europe, but he wanted to play in the NBA from the start. From that standpoint, this was the best deal."
Savovic, a 6-foot-6, 212-pound shooting guard, will participate in the Nuggets' training camp in Denver next week. The following week, he will play on Denver's summer league team in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jarinn Akana, another former UH basketball player who is now a director of player development for the Nuggets, will help coach the Denver summer league team.
"No question, Savo can play on this level," said Akana, who helped conduct private workouts with Savovic in the weeks leading up to last month's NBA Draft. "The good thing about this situation is that we're kind of thin at the shooting guard spot."
Akana said James Posey, last year's starting shooting guard for the Nuggets, is the leading candidate at the position. However, there are question marks after that. Veteran wing players Voshon Lenard and Calbert Cheaney are both free agents and may not re-sign with Denver.
"If things work out, Savo could easily fill that spot," Akana said.
At least three other rookies will participate with Savovic in Denver's training camp. The Nuggets acquired three players in the June 26 NBA Draft: 7-foot forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili, 6-11 forward/center Nene Hilario, and 6-7 forward Vincent Yarbrough.
Savovic was not selected in the two rounds of the NBA Draft, even though he was projected to go as high as the first round in several mock drafts. His age (26) was cited as the primary reason for the snub.
"It all worked out in the end," Wallace said. "Savo's going to a team that wants him, and Denver's getting a great player and great person."
Savovic is the fourth-leading scorer in UH history with 1,414 points, and the only Rainbow Warrior to make the All-Western Athletic Conference first team twice. He is also the all-time leader with 178 3-pointers in three seasons with the 'Bows.
He will be one of two former UH players in the NBA next season. Point guard Anthony Carter will enter his fourth season with the Miami Heat.
