The Washington Wizards intend to sign Tristan Vukcevic following his contract buyout with Serbian club Partizan, as relayed by Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.
Partizan team president Ostoja Mijailovic announced the move on social media.
“Our first team player, Tristan Vukcevic activated his buyout clause and will continue his career in the NBA,” Mijailovic wrote on X, “The seven-figure compensation will be split between Real Madrid and Partizan, according to a previous agreement.”
Vukcevic, 21, is 7-foot-0 and will finish the season with the Wizards after signing a two-year deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
He was selected by the Wizards with the No. 42 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and GM Will Dawkins immediately expressed excitement. Vukcevic also wanted to the NBA right away, though Washington opted to allow him to develop overseas.
He averaged 10.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14 ABA appearances, shooting 54 percent from the field and 44 percent on 3-pointers. It’s unclear if he will finish the season with the Wizards or play for the Capital City Go-Go of the G League.
The Wizards opened a roster spot when the 10-day deal of guard R.J. Hampton expired on Tuesday night.
Washington (11-54) is going through another lost season as new head of basketball operations Michael Winger attempts to rebuild the roster.
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