Savovic not planning on spending sprees
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Predrag Savovic already knows what he wants to do with his first NBA paycheck.
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Save it.
"I just want to save my money," said Predrag Savovic.
"It's not as much as people think," said Savovic, who recently reached a free-agent agreement with the NBA's Denver Nuggets. "I know as well as anybody that nothing is guaranteed in life, so this first year I just want to save my money."
The former University of Hawai'i basketball star was not selected in the June 26 NBA Draft. After that, he endured weeks of negotiations through his agent, Marc Cornstein, with several teams from the NBA and Europe.
On Friday, Cornstein announced that Savovic would receive a one-year guaranteed contract from the Nuggets, worth around $350,000. The guaranteed contract means Savovic will be a paid player for the Nuggets for the entire 2002-03 season.
What's more, Cornstein said there are options in the contract that could keep Savovic with the Nuggets for two additional seasons.
"That's all I needed, that guarantee," Savovic said. "When that opportunity came from Denver, I didn't need much time to think about it. I knew that's where I wanted to go."
Savovic's best offer from Europe came from one of the elite teams in Italy. That team was offering at least $400,000 in tax-free salary, housing, a new car and meals.
"Financially, Italy was much better," said Savovic, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound shooting guard. "But I've been playing basketball the last five years, working at it for a chance to play in the NBA."
Savovic is originally from Yugoslavia, and he spent one week there with his parents before choosing the Nuggets.
"We talked it over as a family, and my parents both realized how much I wanted to play in the NBA," Savovic said. "They were very supportive. It probably helped them knowing that I've been in the United States the last five years."
Savovic arrived in Denver late Saturday night, and is expected to officially sign his contract on Wednesday. He will participate in the Nuggets' training camp for rookies and free agents this week.
From July 19-27, he will play on Denver's summer league team in Salt Lake City.
Jarinn Akana, another former UH basketball standout, will serve as one of the coaches for Denver's summer league team. Akana is a director of player development for the Nuggets.
"I'll be watching his every move," Akana said. "But Savo will be all right. I have no doubts that he can play on this level. I think a lot of other teams will be wishing they signed him."
Savovic's age (26) was cited by Cornstein as the primary reason for his draft-day snub. Now, he will become part of a rebuilding process in Denver.
The Nuggets went 27-55 last season, and have yet to name a head coach for the upcoming season.
On draft day, they traded their best player, Antonio McDyess, to the New York Knicks for the Knicks' first-round draft choice, Nene Hilario from Brazil.
The Nuggets also drafted Nikoloz Tskitishvili from Georgia (Europe) in the first round, and Vincent Yarbrough from Tennessee in the second round. Counting Savovic, Denver will probably carry at least four rookies on its roster this season.
"I think it's a great fit for me," Savovic said. "They have some great young players and I hope we can learn a lot together."
Akana said Savovic could earn significant playing time with the Nuggets as a rookie, although much of that will depend on free-agent situations.
James Posey is Denver's returning starter at shooting guard, but reserves Voshon Lenard and Calbert Cheaney are free agents and may not return to Denver.
"I just want a chance to play," Savovic said. "It was a long and hard process to get here, but it was worth it. I'm going to take advantage of it."
Savovic, the fourth-leading scorer in UH history, will be one of two former 'Bows in the NBA this season, joining Anthony Carter of the Miami Heat.
