Sasha Kaun signed with CSKA Moscow yesterday on a three year deal ending after the 2010/11 season. Their CEO had this to say
Andrei Vatutin, CSKA CEO:
- CSKA always keeps in his field of interests all Russian best basketball players, especially young ones. After the win in the NCAA finals Kaun became one of the most popular players here, but I'd like to mention that we began watching him a few years ago. Good big players have always been a rarity, and Sasha with his excellent work ethic can potentially grow into a player of NBA level. I think that our contract with a promising player who can become the starting center for the Russian national team is a very profitable investment. I am extremely happy that Russian fans will have a chance to see Sasha and the player himself chose to play for our team.
Sasha must not have been too optimistic about his draft hopes to sign in Europe just a few days before the Draft even happens.
I don't know, part of me thinks that he's a better draft pick now. He'll have three years experience at one of Europe's biggest and best clubs playing in big games. Three years time you'll have the opportunity to add somebody who'll be a decent-quality backup center who's got great experience. Not bad for a second round draft pick.
Low second round picks aren't worth much. Might as well take him and hold his rights in case he wants to try the NBA someday. It'd probably be worth moving up to the #43-50 if needs be. Plus anyone the Celtics pass on at #60 they can sign anyway, nice benefit of having the final pick in the draft.
What do you think?
Take him off the board completely?
Draft him anyway?
More reason or less reason to draft him?
I still think he's worthy of a second round draft pick and am more interested in signing him now because he'll have great experience.