Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Leon Radosevic

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 238 pounds, 22-year-old F/C from Croatia
Projected: Second round

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

Radosevic represents another possible player the Pistons could take in the second round who might be amenable to staying overseas for a season or two, both to develop his own game and allow the Pistons more time to balance out their own roster.

Pros for the Pistons

Radosevic has two immediate things that would interest the Pistons with their later second round pick — size and activity.

Scouting reports suggest that he showed improvement overseas from last season to this season and he was also much more athletic (see Chad Ford’s note below) than many previously gave him credit for. He has a face-up game and can hit a perimeter jumper, which never hurts if you’re a big man looking to win a backup spot in the NBA.

Cons for the Pistons

Who the Pistons take here largely boils down to their roster situation. It looks like Kyle Singler will be on the team next season, occupying one spot. Every day that goes by without an official Ben Wallace retirement announcement makes me think chances are improving that he’ll play another season. If Jason Maxiell’s agent doesn’t think the market for him is great this summer, he could be back. So, if all of those things happen, a pick like Radosevic, who could possibly stay overseas, would make some sense. However if Wallace does retire and if Maxiell does become a free agent, the Pistons might need bodies in the draft who have a chance at making the roster from day one, and I’m not sure if Radosevic fits that bill or not. He’s known more for his offense than his defense, and I’ve heard rumors that defense has been a tad bit of a problem for Detroit in recent years.

What is the best thing Leon Radosevic does for his team?

Sam Meyerkopf (follow him on Twitter) is the co-creator of Euroleague Adventures:

“The best thing Radosevic brings to your team is his offensive IQ. Radosevic is a long, energetic big who has a lot of offensive polish to his game. He can run the pick and roll, post up to utilize his solid footwork, and always finds open spaces to get off his incredibly reliable mid-range jumper. His energetic play combined with his offensive knowhow will lead to many open jumpers, put back finishes, and smart plays for his future squad.

He had a down year with Armani Milano this year, but that’s because he was put into a role player position and not given many offensive touches. The year before for Cibona Zagreb, Radosevic at 21 years old was one of the team’s top offensive weapons. This allowed him to grow immensely as a player and develop a lot of different offensive skills. Now an intelligent big man, Radosevic will benefit from a change of scenery and should fit nicely into any rotation.”

What others are saying

Chad Ford:

"Radosevic showed off some athletic ability and surprised some scouts at Eurocamp when he scored a 36-inch vertical. But an ankle injury kept him out of the camp after Saturday evening. He’s still very much in the mix as a second-round pick if he stays in the draft."

DraftExpress:

"Automatically eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft, Radosevic is our top ranked 1990 international prospect for a reason. He is a fundamentally sound all-around player with good size who can step away from the rim, run the pick and pop, and make savvy plays to score inside the paint. Scout have gotten to see very little of that from him this season, and considering his limitations defensively, his ability to show what he brings to the table offensively at a few key moments in the pre-draft process will likely play a role in what his draft stock looks like closer to June 28th."

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