Milos Teodosic is widely known as the best player in the world, not currently in the NBA. Teodosic plays for CSKA Moscow and his native Serbia. In the past year, Teodosic helped lead his club team the Euroleague final, and helped lead Serbia to a silver medal in the Olympics. Teodosic is a free agent at the end of the season, and will be looking to come across the pond. According to Teodosic, he is “Going to the NBA for sure.”
Teodosic is a 29 year old, 6’5″ point guard. He’s a great scoring guard who can also dish out assists at a high rate. So far this season, Teodosic is averaging 16.5 points, 7.4 assists, and he’s shooting 36% from beyond the arch. Although, he’s not known as a good defender, his playmaking ability on the offensive end of the floor should make up for that without a doubt. Last year, when Serbia faced off against the United States in group play, Teodosic dropped 18 points and 6 assists while being guarded by Kyrie Irving. In a preseason game in 2013 versus the Timberwolves, Teodosic dominated Ricky Rubio, as he scored 26 points and dished 9 assists in that contest. In fact, in 2014, the Memphis Grizzlies reached out to Teodosic and even offered him a contract, but he decided to stay with Moscow, as he resigned with his current club on a three year deal worth $7 million.
Acquiring Milos Teodosic would make sense for the Brooklyn Nets. Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov owner CSKA Moscow for several years, so he has great ties with the club. Ties to Moscow aside, going after Teodosic makes sense for the Nets because they desperately need a playmaking point guard. Jeremy Lin is solid, but he’s had the injury bug all season. If Teodosic is acquired, Lin could easily slide off the ball and play the shooting guard position, which could potentially compliment Teodosic nicely.
I don’t see acquiring Teodosic as likely for the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets have shown interest in Teodosic, but they most likely won’t be able to offer a deal as attractive as the Brooklyn Nets. Partially because the Nets have $33 million in cap space this upcoming free agency, and also because Teodosic will see much more play time in Brooklyn. The Nuggets have a relatively loaded backcourt, which features Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray, and Will Barton.
I believe Teodosic will do well in the NBA. He will have to work on his defensive game, but offensively he can create plays just as well as anyone in the league. He reminds me of current Philadelphia 76ers point guard Sergio Rodriguez. He’s a good three point shooter who finds his teammates with ease. Unlike Sergio, however, he has very good size. That 6’5″ frame will help him fit in better among the NBA’s point guards.
