No, despite what a quick Google search may return, the Chicago Bulls did not just draft a 34-year-old Serbian basketball player named Marko Simonovic.
They did, however, draft the OTHER Marko Simonovic, a 21-year-old Serbian basketball player, who currently plays for Mega Bemax of the ABA League, where he recently averaged 16.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21 contests.
Welcome to Chicago, Marko! pic.twitter.com/1UGNQL4yAT
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 19, 2020
A quick look into his scouting report and film, and it’s clear to see what NBA teams may find attractive. He is a 6’11” center who weighs in at 215 lbs and can spread the floor. The guy is a super mobile big man and possesses quite an impressive shooting stroke. Should we expect to see him with the Bulls in the coming weeks? Probably not. As NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson points out, the Bulls are sitting at 14 guaranteed contracts already, so it made sense for Karnisovas to target a draft-and-stash prospect with the No. 44 pick.
With Arturas Karnisovas at the helm of this organization, we should come to expect these types of moves. He is widely connected with the international basketball scene, and if anyone knows a player to truly keep an eye on overseas, it’s him. The obvious example of this philosophy is what Karnisovas did in Denver with Nikola Jokic – who played in Serbia for one additional year after being drafted by the Nuggets with the No. 41-overall pick.
All in all, smart move. The Bulls couldn’t welcome in another player, and this gives them a solid prospect to keep an eye on moving forward. With how infrequently second-rounders workout, this is a more than acceptable choice.
If you want to get a better look at exactly what Simonovic has to offer, check out some of the highlights below:
Not enough talk about Marko Simonovic who is having a strong start into the season, averaging a double-double per game, shooting so far on 50% from the field and 41% from 3. Yesterday he posted 19 points, 2 assists and grabbed season-high 16 rebounds. #ABALiga #megasoccerbet pic.twitter.com/ncxeIDNB9M
— Igor Chytrzynski (@IChytrzynski) November 7, 2020