Patrick

O'Bryant

He’ll fight for playing time next year with Adonal Foyle and Andris Biedrins, but could be their starting center in 2007-08. This was not a surprise, as O’Bryant has long been rumored to the Warriors. Even though David Stern called him the 10th pick, he was actually taken at No. 9.

Under the rookie salary scale, O’Bryant will make $3.56 million in the first two years of the deal that runs through 2007-08. The Warriors hold club options for the next two years of the contract. He’s not likely to start at center for the Warriors, but should see some decent backup minutes if he develops quickly.

He’ll be joined by Andris Biedrins and second-year guards Monta Ellis and Will Bynum. Their first game is Friday against the Blazers.

The former No. 9 overall pick (and bust) from the 2006 draft will try and sign with an NBA team. Even if he somehow lands on an NBA roster, O’Bryant will have no fantasy impact.

Perovic was the 38th pick in the 2006 draft and played last season in Serbia and Montenegro. The 7-foot-2 center helped lead Partizan Belgrade to a championship, averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in the Adriatic league. “We are excited that Kosta will be joining our team this season,” said Chris Mullin, the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations. “He is a very skilled player, and we think that he has tremendous potential.” We don’t see him having fantasy value this year, although he might be higher on the depth chart than Patrick O’Bryant, who is on his way to being a bust.

“He’s a long way away, from what I can see,” coach Don Nelson said. “He’s still a young player, so you never say never, but I sure don’t see he can be a factor next year. He can’t even be a factor in this (the summer) league.” O’Bryant is the lone man in the middle for the Warriors this summer, but has struggled badly. That just means more job security for last year’s breakout star, Andris Biedrins. Of course, it’s important to note that Nellie made similar comments about Monta Ellis last September, just before he broke out for the Warrriors.

“He’s made tremendous progress, I’m very happy about him,” coach Don Nelson said. “He needs to be more alert, and he can’t stop improving, but I never thought I could play him 20 minutes in an NBA game and survive, but by golly I did.” Don’t be surprised if O’Bryant takes some minutes from Andris Biedrins at center this season.

O’Bryant looked pretty good tonight, but would only be worth late-season consideration if Bargnani was going to miss the rest of the season.

O’Bryant had a few decent games when Andrea Bargnani was injured last season, but shouldn’t be a fantasy factor this year.

Patrick O’Bryant (eight points, one rebound, two blocks) got the start in place of Andrea Bargnani, but Mensah-Bonsu was more productive off the bench. Unfortunately, these numbers came largely out of nowhere -- he had combined for just 13 minutes total in his previous two games.