Nando

De Colo

There were reports this summer of De Colo being interested in an NBA comeback, but perhaps that was simply something that was leaked by De Colo’s camp to give him more leverage overseas. Either way, he won’t be coming stateside next year and is therefore irrelevant in fantasy hoops.

De Colo last played in the NBA back in 2013-14 with the Raptors, and Toronto still holds his rights. Thus, the Raps have the option to extend a qualifying offer to De Colo, which would give Toronto the opportunity to match a restricted free-agent offer sheet from another team. De Colo has played the last five years for CSKA Moscow. Last season he averaged 14.7 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting nearly 45% from downtown.

De Colo’s deal is said to be for two years and given the Spurs ability to find overseas talent in the past, the combo guard is someone to keep an eye on. In his last three seasons, he has played with Valencia in the Spanish ACB League. In those three seasons, De Colo averaged 12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 106 ACB games.

The report on ACB.com suggests that De Colo has agreed upon a two-year contract with the Spurs, who selected him in the second-round of the 2009 draft. San Antonio’s history of finding overseas talent is remarkable, so we’ll keep a close eye on De Colo during the preseason -- the 6'5" guard averaged 13.1 points and shot 35.5 percent from downtown for Valencia last season.

De Colo finished the season with Valencia Basket, and is known as someone capable of playing either guard spot in the backcourt. The Spurs have a solid track record with international players and it’s possible De Colo could be in the NBA for the 2012-13 season.

De Colo, who is a 2009 second-round pick coming over to the Spurs this season, will have a lot to learn before Gregg Popovich trusts him with consistent playing time. He’s not on the fantasy radar in standard sized leagues.

De Colo was great in 28 minutes off the bench, shooting 4-of-7 from the field with one 3-pointer. Gregg Popovich has begun calling him “mini-Manu,” and the Spurs may have stolen him with the No. 53 pick this year, but he’s unlikely to have any fantasy relevance as a rookie. Just keep an eye on him in case Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili gets injured.

“His level of basketball intelligence is there,” Duncan said. “He’s got some great skill, and I didn’t know him or expect anything of him.” Stephen Jackson has already called De Colo “another Manu Ginobili,” and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him climb up the PG depth chart if he continues to have success. Keep an eye on him from a distance.

He was there for less than 24 hours and will be a yo-yo between the Spurs and the Toros this season.

De Colo started for the hollowed-out Spurs on Thursday, but was a DNP-CD in Saturday’s win over the Grizzlies. He’s averaging 2.5 points, 1.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game.