Crvena Zvezda 2017/2018

[Gudura]

The way things are standing now, in order to be competitive we need the following:

PG - Two point guards, one pure PG and the other guy can be a combo guard/scorer etc.
SG - I think that Radonjic is going with Guduric/Lazic rotation here and we will have Rakicevic as a 3rd option for garbage minutes at ABA and KLS
SF - Here we will go with Dangubic/Dobric duo. Extremely athletic both of them, can provide excellent defense and transition and diverse offensive skillset.
PF - Bolden / Simanic. Here we need an experienced forward that can bring more toughness to the position. Maybe Bjelica can fill in as PF a bit.
C - A starting center is an absolute must. The only big that we currently have under contract is Bjelica. We need to add also another younger guy for depth and the future.

So the way things are standing now we need to add 2 PGs, 2 Cs and a tough forward. It will not be easy especially in the PG/C market which always dries up early in the market. In the following days, I will post some of the players and their profiles that could be good transfer targets for Zvezda. There is still a lot of talent/quality left in the core but we are now bare at the 2 positions that were the strongest parts of our team. We can see what a mistake it was to let Micic go last year and not invest in him, but go with an import. Now we have a kid that could've taken over for Jovic playing in Zalgiris.

One good potential add already gone-Jelovac to Nizni...

[CoachZ]

One good potential add already gone-Jelovac to Nizni...

He was a perfect guy for us as a PF, to add toughness and craftiness around the basket. I am sad to see, that we didn't even try to bring him over.

Anyway some random thoughts about center positions:

- Zirbes should be a realistic target for return to Zvezda. He has a great connection with the club and fans and at the same time knows the system. He was one of the best centers in EL when he played in Zvezda and we will really miss production in the paint without Kuzmic. Covic should give everything to bring him back.

- Isiah Austin should be brought back as a backup and potential starter down the road. He had ups and downs in FMP but has shown that he is getting back in basketball shape after absence. He will bring a lot of length and defensive upside with athleticism. He also has range. As soon as he is done with China, he should be a target for Zvezda while we can get him for scraps. Get him signed. Zirbes, Austin, Bjelica should be enough rotation that provides flexibility for all kinds of schemes. On paper it is not impressive but I like the combination and with a good floor general those boys will produce.

[CoachZ]

Another guy that I would like to see in Zvezda is a PF/C tweener JaJuan Johnson from Cantu. His contract has expired with Cantu and now is a free agent. He is 208cm and can play both positions well. He is very athletic and fluid and has an excellent shot from both midrange and 3pt (40%+ shooter). He can score in many ways. He is a good helpside defender but struggles with big guys. He can move very well and defend PnR. I think he should strive for a breakout EL season after his last year in Cantu. A good candidate for Zvezda

[Gudura]

Friend of mine told me that he saw yesterday Tibor Pleiss at some Pizza place in NBG.Coincedence?Hopefully just vacation.....on the other hand according to Pick Fener agreed with us for 1M buyout for Guduric....know that he is not such a reliable source,but still....

[CoachZ]

Friend of mine told me that he saw yesterday Tibor Pleiss at some Pizza place in NBG.Coincedence?Hopefully just vacation.....on the other hand according to Pick Fener agreed with us for 1M buyout for Guduric....know that he is not such a reliable source,but still....

I don't want Tibor Pleiss in Zvezda I have no idea what to do with that guy. Such a waste of height

[Gudura]

Branko Lazic extended the contract and will be the new team captain!Great news!

[Fairfax]

"Fenerbahce offers to Red Star 800k and to Guduric 3 years for 1.5-in that way they keep attached the alignment"

[ncjazz]

I don't want Tibor Pleiss in Zvezda I have no idea what to do with that guy. Such a waste of height

A guy a like from summer league who may be attainable for Zvezda is Matt Costello. Played at Michigan State. Knows how to play.

[CoachZ]

A guy a like from summer league who may be attainable for Zvezda is Matt Costello. Played at Michigan State. Knows how to play.

Hey I love Matt Costello! Tom Izzo school of tough

I think he could be a great add, but I am not sure whether he is even considering Europe or will take the D-League path.

[CoachZ]

Stefan Jankovic is available again. I wanted him even last year but he ended up staying in the D-League. He is a FA now and hoping to catch on the roster somewhere. I don't think it will happen if it hasn't so far. He has also recently said in the interview that he is considering Euroleague as well. Anyway he could be a big that could be a perfect guy next to Bolden for the new team. He has tremendous size and excellent shooting ability. Natual position is PF, but he can play Fake 5 as well and be able to stretch.

He is a 7 footer with range and athleticism.

[ronmercer80]

800.000 is a good amount of money for the Serbian internal market. If exploited well the team may become even stronger.

[CoachZ]

800.000 is a good amount of money for the Serbian internal market. If exploited well the team may become even stronger.

The buyout for Guduric is 1mil actually. It was announced officially by Covic, club president. So we have basically cleaned house and we will rebuild with a new team. Here are buyouts:

- Guduric to Fenerbahce - 1mil
- Kuzmic to Real - 300k
- Mitrovic to Bamberg - 200k
- Jovic to Bayern - 160k
- Jenkins to Armani - 100k

Simonovic, Wolters and Thompson were FA, so no buyouts there

So we have put about 1.76mil from the transfers. That should help along the way with creating a new team. As the situation stands now this is what we have:

PG Nobody
SG Ognjen Dobric, LeBranko Lazic, Petar Rakicevic
SF Nemanja Dangubic, Ranko Simovic
PF Jonah Bolden, Borisa Simanic
C Milko Bjelica

So, as you can see we need to get stronger, add 2 PGs, 2 Cs and another wing player for sure. It will be interesting to see how team building will go.

[janketa]

The buyout for Guduric is 1mil actually. It was announced officially by Covic, club president. So we have basically cleaned house and we will rebuild with a new team. Here are buyouts:

- Guduric to Fenerbahce - 1mil
- Kuzmic to Real - 300k
- Mitrovic to Bamberg - 200k
- Jovic to Bayern - 160k
- Jenkins to Armani - 100k

Simonovic, Wolters and Thompson were FA, so no buyouts there

So we have put about 1.76mil from the transfers. That should help along the way with creating a new team. As the situation stands now this is what we have:

PG Nobody
SG Ognjen Dobric, Petar Rakicevic
SF Nemanja Dangubic, Ranko Simovic
PF Jonah Bolden, Borisa Simanic
C Milko Bjelica

So, as you can see we need to get stronger, add 2 PGs, 2 Cs and another wing player for sure. It will be interesting to see how team building will go.

You forgot LeBranko

[CoachZ]

You forgot LeBranko

Thanks, I just fixed that

[CoachZ]

I am excited to see Dobric in a big role this year and have him go at the best players in Europe.

He is a SG/SF, which has great athleticism and strength and is absolutely relentless attacking the basket and transition. He can finish at the rim with a lot of contact, he plays above the rim on both offense and defense. His defensive upside is huge. He is also a good shooter (one of the most remarkable transformations, since he was a brick master some years back and Gurovic was talking about him shooting 7% for three to becoming a good shooter and the proces), still not a great off the dribble but coming out of the pick/screen and spot up he is very, very good. It will be fun for him to go off.