Just seven top-six picks since the NBA-ABA merger have played three or fewer seasons in the NBA (excluding, of course, those drafted after 2012 who haven’t yet had the opportunity):
- Jan Vesely
- Jonny Flynn
- Jay Williams
- Len Bias
- Chris Washburn
- Russell Cross
- James Ray
Vesely is trying to escape that list.
Orazio Cauchi of Sportando:
https://twitter.com/paxer89/status/642094590363836416
That’s a mighty Vesely-slanted spin. I don’t think Vesely – who signed in Turkey last year after three seasons with the Wizards and Nuggets – can just decide whether or not he plays in the NBA.
He has averaged 16.8 points 9.0 rebounds per game in EuroBasket for Czech Republic, which faces Serbia in a semifinal tomorrow. But he looked so overmatched in the NBA, not nearly skilled enough to turn his athleticism into production. Vesely – who, with Ray, is one of two players on that list whose NBA exit wasn’t caused by injury or drugs – needs to impress for more than just a couple weeks.
If Vesely wants to chase an NBA job through a training-camp tryout, he can probably do that. A guaranteed contract, while possible, seems unlikely.