Arturas Gudaitis & Luka Mitrovic

#1
So I haven't heard any news yet about the two 2nd rounders we traded for. Does anyone know anything about them and does it seem like the sixers were picking for us, with Vlade's long Euro trip. Seems like Arturas would be nice as the 5th big. I would rather have a guy who was young and hungry and will practice hard and might be good one day, than someone who you know will fail if they have to play like Ryan Hollins.

Arturas Gudaitis
http://www.nba.com/draft/2015/prospects/arturas_gudaitis


Luka Mitrovic
http://www.nba.com/draft/2015/prospects/luka_mitrovic?ls=iref:nba:draft:tracker
 
#3

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#4
I would be surprised if they come over this year (or anytime soon) as they are probably making more than league minimum in Europe and getting play time.
 
#5
I would be surprised if they come over this year (or anytime soon) as they are probably making more than league minimum in Europe and getting play time.
I share your opinion about them coming over, but not because of money.

They play in Lituania and Serbia which aren't exactly rich leagues. playing in Turkey, Spain or Russia is a different ball-game in terms of salary.

I doubt they are NBA ready, people really like to talk about those picks but more often than not they never set foot in the NBA... but there are exceptions, I don't know enough about this guys to decide what they are.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#6
Soooooo, trying to put a happy face on our trade in which we acquired two 2nd round picks in this recent draft from the 76érs, I decided to do a little research on both prospects. Of the two, Gudaitis looks to have the best chance at an NBA career. Having said that, I don't think we'll be seeing him in a Kings uni anytime soon. But he does show potential. To look at last years stats is misleading, because he was returning after missing over a year with a knee injury. Prior to that, he was regarded as one of the best young prospects in the league. He came back almost a forgotten man who had to prove himself all over again. Despite all that, he did play well, and proved that he was back to full health without seemingly losing any of his athleticism.

He was abandoned as a child, and grew up in very rough, tough surroundings. He didn't take up the game of basketball until the age of 14. So he's a late bloomer. Despite that, he demonstrates an advanced post game, and is a tenacious rebounder. He's not without flaws or mistakes, but most of his mistakes come from being too aggressive. He seems to thrive on physical contact, and defensively, he's very effective against players much taller and larger than him. He's an excellent athlete and an explosive leaper, which lends itself toward being a good rim protector. Although he shot the ball well from the three, he seldom takes shots from there, and the sampling is far too small to come to any conclusions. One thing in his favor is that he's a very good freethrow shooter, who I might add, gets to the line at an above average rate.

He's very aggressive on defense, and is a good pick and roll defender, where his athleticism allows him to stop and push the ball, but still get back to defend his man. He's an excellent shot blocker, and overall post defender, many times holding position against players outweighing him by 50 or more pounds. In short, he brings toughness to both the offensive and defensive side's of the ball. Defensively, I think he would be fine defending PF's where the matchup's would be more equal. He certainly has the athleticism to defend that position.

Which brings us to the question, what position would he play in the NBA. At the moment, he doesn't project to be a stretch four (hard to believe that's now considered a requirement), and he appears to be a little undersized to play center, with no disrespect to Chuck Hayes. For that reason I don't think we'll see the Kings try to bring him over until his position is more well defined. From what I've seen, I think he has a chance to play in the NBA someday. Considering how little time he's had to develop, (from the age of 14), one has to think he's a fast learner. Ending up with a rotational player out of this deal down the road would be a bonus. But I wouldn't get your hopes up too high. Here's a little video of Arturas


 
#8
These are also players or "assets" that can traded in place of our nearly non-existent stash of future 2nd round picks..................
 

Capt. Factorial

trifolium contra tempestatem subrigere certum est
Staff member
#13
There's a bit of a tidbit on Gudaitis that came out of Lithuania today.

Sportando has a quick summary here: http://www.sportando.com/en/usa/nba...ays-kings-are-strongly-interested-in-him.html

Google Translate on the source is spotty (e.g. "76ers newcomers to the stock exchange called the stack tall"), but the upshot appears to be this:
  • The Kings have a strong interest in Gudaitis (in the future, not for this year)
  • Vlade insisted that Gudaitis be included in the Stauskas/Thompson trade
  • Some of the Kings' training/coaching staff will be traveling to Lithuania to observe Gudaitis sometime this season
  • It seems likely that Gudaitis will be on our Summer League team in 2016
  • There are no details on Gudaitis' Lithuanian contract duration/possible buyout, but his goal appears to be to play in the NBA as soon as he is ready skillwise
It's not much, but it certainly suggests that this kid is on our radar for the future.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#14
There's a bit of a tidbit on Gudaitis that came out of Lithuania today.

Sportando has a quick summary here: http://www.sportando.com/en/usa/nba...ays-kings-are-strongly-interested-in-him.html

Google Translate on the source is spotty (e.g. "76ers newcomers to the stock exchange called the stack tall"), but the upshot appears to be this:
  • The Kings have a strong interest in Gudaitis (in the future, not for this year)
  • Vlade insisted that Gudaitis be included in the Stauskas/Thompson trade
  • Some of the Kings' training/coaching staff will be traveling to Lithuania to observe Gudaitis sometime this season
  • It seems likely that Gudaitis will be on our Summer League team in 2016
  • There are no details on Gudaitis' Lithuanian contract duration/possible buyout, but his goal appears to be to play in the NBA as soon as he is ready skillwise
It's not much, but it certainly suggests that this kid is on our radar for the future.
From the vid I saw of him I definitely think he should be. Very impressive talent, just have to see how it translates against bigger/better competition.
 

CruzDude

Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
#15
Seems a nice "stash" to have who should see summer league for Kings next year then likely time at Reno but only if he gets a salary that would keep him here vs. going back to Euro league away from helpful eyes of Vlade/Peja.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#17
Actually I believe it would be better for him to play in Europe and not in Reno, if he wants to develop his game.
Well, I could make an argument for the D-League. If your D-League team emulates what the parent club is doing, then it's beneficial to the player. Your learning the system of the team that drafted you, or in his case, owns his rights, and probably getting more minutes than you would get in Europe. Not to mention that playing in Reno for instance, he would constantly be under the watchful eye of the Kings. The major obstacle is money. You might have to sign him to a big enough contract to keep him here. Not sure what he would he would demand in Europe, but I think it would certainly be something above six figures.
 
#18
Crvena zvezda Telekom announced that their captain will be sidelined for several month.

Everyone in Pionir Hall stopped breathing for couple of seconds. Luka Mitrović, the captain of Crvena zvezda Telekom, slipped and fell directly on his left knee. He stayed down on the floor, obviously in huge pain.

Mitrović was carried out of the court, it was clear that the injury is quite serious. After the match, his club confirmed that first medical tests brought only bad news. Crvena zvezda Telekom announced that Mitrović suffered a serious knee injury and that he will be sidelined for several months.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#19
Crvena zvezda Telekom announced that their captain will be sidelined for several month.

Everyone in Pionir Hall stopped breathing for couple of seconds. Luka Mitrović, the captain of Crvena zvezda Telekom, slipped and fell directly on his left knee. He stayed down on the floor, obviously in huge pain.

Mitrović was carried out of the court, it was clear that the injury is quite serious. After the match, his club confirmed that first medical tests brought only bad news. Crvena zvezda Telekom announced that Mitrović suffered a serious knee injury and that he will be sidelined for several months.
In that league is it like the NHL where they don't announce the specifics of injuries?
 
#21

Nice look at some of his strengths. There's absolutely NBA skills there, on both sides of the ball and the athleticism to not get completely blown out of the NBA.

I'm intrigued with his FT rate and his ability to score on the low block. Both are skills we don't really ever see out of euro big men.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#22

Nice look at some of his strengths. There's absolutely NBA skills there, on both sides of the ball and the athleticism to not get completely blown out of the NBA.

I'm intrigued with his FT rate and his ability to score on the low block. Both are skills we don't really ever see out of euro big men.
I have said before after first seeing video on this guy, he reminds a bit of a poor man's Euro-Boogie. Am definitely intrigued.
 
#23
I have said before after first seeing video on this guy, he reminds a bit of a poor man's Euro-Boogie. Am definitely intrigued.
Funny, I thought the same thing. He plays in a very similar style that Boogie at Kentucky did. He obviously doesn't have near the ceiling young boogie did, but I can see him developing into a Tiago Splitter type.

It's rare to see a Euro big who's an NBA prospect with skill/athleticism and the strength and willingness to play inside.
 
#24
Luka Mitrovic on his injury

"It's been the one most boring and difficult period, where you literally confined to bed and you are not able to have much to do.To my great fortune, I started recently with physical therapy, and a few days and with a light training - where the emphasis is on strengthening the injured leg, so I was able to as soon as possible to start with a more active and demanding trenintima, "said Mitrovic for B92.Mitrovic was seriously injured his knee at the beginning of the last quarter of the duel šestolg ABA league against Olimpija in Pionir mid-October and suffered a similar injury last season, only the second degree."It is always a thankless task to predict because that date may vary. However, the first Forecasts indicate that this could be the end of February or beginning of March, but we'll see how the recovery proceeds, because of which everything depends. Almost always this estimate may be inaccurate and may come back sooner or later on the floor, "adds the skipper Serbian and regional champions." http://www.b92.net/sport/kosarka/vesti.php?yyyy=2015&mm=12&dd=25&nav_id=1078601 -translated by Google

He's established himself as a leader of his team, and unfortunately, his season has been cut short.

In 7 games before his injury, he was averaging:

24.4minutes
  • 55% FG
  • 47% 3PT
  • 11pts 5.8rebs 1.4asts 1blk
*keep in mind games are only 40minutes long.
 
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#25
Arturas Guaditis recently won MVP of the week for the 2nd consecutive week.

The most useful of last week's "Tete-a-Tete Casino-LKL 'basketball elected 22 years 208 cm tall Vilnius" Lithuanian morning "Central striker Arthur Gudaitis who" MVP "title won for the second time in a row and trečiąsyk this season.

Tall sparkled in the match against "Siauliai" when 30 minutes scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, assists by 1, 6 rival provoked fouls and collected 35 utility scores.

How much more modest Gudaitis appeared in Wednesday's match against Kedainiai Nevezis.Then he scored 12 points, grabbed 8 balls by 2 assists and scored 16 points performance.


Skaitykite daugiau:http://www.basketnews.lt/news-92870...-atiteko-arturui-gudaiciui.html#ixzz3wWRcJDgC - Google translate
Arturas Guaditis has recently had a monster game that helped him earn his MVP weekly award.
His stat line for that game was:
30minutes
  • 27pts 13rebs
  • 8-12 FG
  • 11-12 FT


This year, he's played 16 games and these are his averages thus far,

16.7minutes
  • 10pts 5.1rebs .75blks
  • 63% FG
  • 76% FT
Here's a mini highlight vid of a few games conjoined this season:
 
#26
Does anyone see Aturas Guaditis joining us within the next year or so? I think he's NBA ready and could be a contributor off the bench. Unsure how he'd fit next to Kofus, but he's had a very solid season.

I haven't had a real chance to look at any of Mitrovic's games this season, but by his stat line, it looks like he's improved.

Has anyone watched them more in depth this season?
 
#27
Does anyone see Aturas Guaditis joining us within the next year or so? I think he's NBA ready and could be a contributor off the bench. Unsure how he'd fit next to Kofus, but he's had a very solid season.

I haven't had a real chance to look at any of Mitrovic's games this season, but by his stat line, it looks like he's improved.

Has anyone watched them more in depth this season?
I could see us trying to get him on our roster for the 2016/2017 season if Vlade gets extended and we lose our pick to the Bulls. He could just replace Dukan, who is currently our 15th player. Hell, I'd take him over Dukan 10 out of 10 times.

I really like this kid, mostly his toughness. He reminds a bit of Cousins (and Nurkic) actually. He overpowers his defenders down low and scores or gets to the line, has a developing midrange game and is agile enough to move his feet on defense and block shots.

What I'm most interested in is if he is able to guard quicker power forwards on the perimeter. Because that would allow us to play him and Cousins together and really dominate inside. If not, we can still play Gudaitis with WCS and let WCS guard the quicker players. This would also help to compensate for WCS lack of bulk inside.

If (!) Gudaitis keeps working hard, stays healthy and develops accordingly, a few years from now, I can see a Cousins-WCS-Gudaitis rotation frontcourt really bringing havoc to opposing teams, especially if they try to go small.

Love this pick up by Vlade. Really underrated piece of the Philly trade!
 
#28
I could see us trying to get him on our roster for the 2016/2017 season if Vlade gets extended and we lose our pick to the Bulls. He could just replace Dukan, who is currently our 15th player. Hell, I'd take him over Dukan 10 out of 10 times.

I really like this kid, mostly his toughness. He reminds a bit of Cousins (and Nurkic) actually. He overpowers his defenders down low and scores or gets to the line, has a developing midrange game and is agile enough to move his feet on defense and block shots.

What I'm most interested in is if he is able to guard quicker power forwards on the perimeter. Because that would allow us to play him and Cousins together and really dominate inside. If not, we can still play Gudaitis with WCS and let WCS guard the quicker players. This would also help to compensate for WCS lack of bulk inside.

If (!) Gudaitis keeps working hard, stays healthy and develops accordingly, a few years from now, I can see a Cousins-WCS-Gudaitis rotation frontcourt really bringing havoc to opposing teams, especially if they try to go small.

Love this pick up by Vlade. Really underrated piece of the Philly trade!
I imagine great high-low passing with both of the guys.

I wonder if he'd be interested in coming here for next season. I'd certainly be interested in him
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#29
I imagine great high-low passing with both of the guys.

I wonder if he'd be interested in coming here for next season. I'd certainly be interested in him
Well I'm sure he would love to play in the NBA, but there's always the issue of money, and minutes. If he thinks both of those things are satisfactory, then he'd probably be willing. I doubt he's interested in playing in the D-League, but if the money is right, who knows?