What's new
By:

Tibor Pleiss

This is what I read that made me think it was a player option.

Ante Tomic has missed the train to the NBA. Furthermore, I’m told he’s not even interested in going overseas to the league. Sources believe Tomic will renew his vows with Barcelona going forward. There is no question that he’s a legit NBA talent – he can score, rebound, and pass. I just don’t think the NBA is something Tomic is thinking about.
Click to expand...

"Renew his vows".

Guess something got lost in the translation here.
 
Here's what I found:

David Pick ‏@IAmDPick Jan 14

Ante Tomic said Barcelona "has a team-option for next season" and that "anything (Re: Europe/NBA) is possible."
Click to expand...
David Pick ‏@IAmDPick Jan 14

Asked Ante Tomic of his NBA aspirations: "I'd like to make the NBA, the window isn't closed."
Click to expand...
Here's from a chat with fans from the guy that made that interview:

David:

David, love your work.
Any chance of Ante Tomic ever coming over to the NBA? Jazz fans have heard his name for years, but wonder if he’ll ever be part of Utah’s plans beyond being an asset.
Also, thoughts on Raul Neto? What are the chances he comes over to the Jazz next season and could he help?


David Pick:

David,Tomic’s future is very blurry. His rights next season are held by Barcelona in Spain and there is mutual interest to extend their pact going forward. Still, I’ve spoken with Tomic about the NBA a few weeks ago. He was warming up before practice and I caught him on the sidelines. Asked about his plans of making the jump to the NBA, Tomic said that’s an option he’d like to pursue. He said the window to the NBA hasn’t closed. I’m not sold on what he said because I don’t think he has the desire to be in the league. Either way, he’s probably the most skilled center outside the NBA right now and would be a steal for the Jazz going forward.

Re: Neto – chances of him making Utah’s roster next season, IMO, are slim to none. With Trey Burke and Dante Exum running the point, to Joe Ingles and Gordon Hayward serving as point-forwards … a move like Neto just doesn’t make sense. Also, he’s playing solid in Spain, not brilliant.
Click to expand...
 
Now that Kanter is gone, I think that the Jazz should be very proactive about trying to get Ante Tomic to come over this upcoming season. He's still only 28 and widely considered one of (if not THE) best big men in Europe. He's a perfect offensive fit for Quin's system and would become the best passing big on the team. Essentially the Anti-Kanter. They don't need him to be a great defensive player (but I think he's better than many give him credit for) with Gobert, Favors and Booker as the other three bigs.

I don't know what he'd cost, but I really hope they finally pay his buy out and sign him to the full MLE (3 years, $5 million per year) if they have it available.
 
Last edited:
Ellis269 said:
Now that Kanter is gone, I think that the Jazz should be very proactive about trying to get Ante Tomic to come over this upcoming season. He's still only 28 and widely considered one of (if not THE) best big men in Europe. He's a perfect offensive fit for Quin's system and would become the best passing big on the team. Essentially the Anti-Kanter. They don't need him to be a great defensive player (but I think he's better than many give him credit for) with Gobert, Favors and Booker as the other three bigs.

I don't know what he'd cost, but I really hope they finally pay his buy out and sign him to the full MLE (3 years, $5 million per year) if they have it available.
Click to expand...

I'd pay even more than the MLE, if possible. Probably up to 7 mill a year, on a 3 year contract-- although I think 5 mill a year is around right for him.
 
Tomic with 25/11/3 blocks against rival Real Madrid in loss today. Haven't seen a box score I trust, but it appears that both Hezonja and Pleiss may have gone scoreless.

If we're serious about a playoff push next year, Tomic is the one we should try to bring. Too bad he's unlikely to come.
 
Money talks. Even if he's playing the Jazz against Barcelona to get a new contract, the Jazz have the ability to pay significantly more than any European team can offer. I'd very strongly consider bringing him over as the 3rd big to compliment Gobert, Favors and Booker.

I think that he'd surprise people with his offensive touch and passing abilities. Everyone talks about how they don't think that he's interested in leaving Spain, but the Jazz had the opportunity to bring him over in 2012, but didn't. KOC wanted to see him "explode" in Europe to justify the investment. Since then, he's gone on to become one of (if not the) top big men playing overseas.

His buyout has been an issue, but should be much more manageable this offseason with only a team option left. He's only 28 and the Jazz haven't really tipped their hand as to what they want to do with him. I really hope they buy him out. He doesn't seem like an egotistical guy, so I don't think that not being a starter will make that much of a difference.

He's got good size, great experience and a well-developed team game. He'd be a positive asset for the Jazz if they bring him over. I could easily see him being like Jingles, where he plays quite a bit more than most people expect him to.
 
Ellis269 said:
He's got good size, great experience and a well-developed team game. He'd be a positive asset for the Jazz if they bring him over. I could easily see him being like Jingles, where he plays quite a bit more than most people expect him to.
Click to expand...

Isn't Ingles being interviewed frequently on 1280 these days? Since he and Tomic were teammate for a year, they ought to ask him for his opinion of Tomic, as a player/teammate/likelihood of NBA interest/etc. Tomic is only half a year older than Ingles, having turned 28 this past week.
 
I have a feeling if the Jazz were confident Tomic was going to ever come over, then they don't trade for Pleiss. Tomic is obviously better, but I highly doubt he'll ever be here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page
Back
Top