I came across his name reading some news about DerMarr Johnson joining the Euro league. Apparently Ukic is rated as one of the top defensive guards in the league. He joined the team Juan Carlos Navarro was starting for, and since Navarro is coming over to the Grizzlies this season, Ukic could find himself replacing Navarro as the starting SG for FC Barcelona Current Team Player Profile
He should be great for us when he comes over. We need defensive guards, and he seems like a great fit. Also, he is good trade bait for draft picks. It's win-win for the Raptors with him.
Don't we have to sign him this year or we lose his rights? That was my understanding of his status as a 2nd round pick.
I like his size for a guard at 6'5. He has a good basketball IQ and would strive in this system. I think also that with alot of Europeans on this team, he wouldn't feel left out. On al3x's note, I think you're right, but I'm not sure.
Yea I think we lose our rights on him in a year. To tell you the truth, I'm not convinced that he'll make it over the NBA at this point in his career. Roko played well and showed a lot of promise when he was playing on KK Split. But he's yet to really show he can be a starter on a major European club. He couldn't find a fit at Tau and he's been a backup at Barcelona. They signed a better guard in Pepe Sanchez (Link )to replace Navarro and I've heard that Roko'll be moving to another team again (Lottomatica?). The cool thing is if the Lottomatica transfer goes through, we'll have a chance to see him when the Raps play a preseason game against them on October 6th.
Lmao, I love the spanish links you give us Chuteny. I try to read them, but I just can't. I think the problem is I don't know Spanish. Lol.
I would love for him to put on a Raptor Jersey. But I'm with you, I just don't see it happening right now.
Don't NBA teams hold the draft rights of their players for life? Refer to Juan Carlos Navarro or Luis Scola, both of whom were drafted in years before Ukic.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Raptors' Ukic headed to Italy Raptors draft pick Roko Ukic has signed with Italian team Lottomatica Roma after playing last season with the Spanish side Barcelona (where he was on loan from Tau Ceramica). Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo said yesterday that the move to Roma should bode well for Ukic's development, but added that the Raptors have no plans to bring him to North America in the immediate future. Colangelo said the amount the Raptors would have to pay to buy Ukic out of his contract is "restrictive" (reportedly more than $1 million US). And even if the Raptors wanted to bring the 23-year-old point guard to the NBA, they don't have the cap space, having signed Jason Kapono with the mid-level exception and Maceo Bastan with the biennial exception. "The most we could offer is a minimum contract given that our tools have been utilized in other ways," Colangelo said. Ukic averaged 4.6 points, 14.15 minutes and two assists for Barcelona last season. The Croatian international is preparing for the EuroBasket 2007 which will be held in Spain. Croatia opens against Latvia on Monday. </div> Toronto Sun
