“The Detroit #Pistons have struck a verbal agreement to sign Ukranian centerto a multiyear deal, according to his agent.
“Vyacheslav intends to sign a player contract with the Pistons when the moratorium period ends,” Kravtsov’s representative, Jeff Schwartz, said Sunday night.
Pistons president Joe Dumars confirmed the negotiations in a statement Monday.
“We are engaged in negotiations with Vyacheslav Kravtsov and will enter into a player contract when the moratorium period ends,” he said in the statement.
July 11 is the first day NBA players can sign new contracts, but handshake agreements are permissible in the interim.
The 7-footer turns 25 in August and played for the Boston Celtics’ summer-league team in 2010 after going undrafted in 2009.
Kravtsov averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22 minutes per game last season for BC Donetsk in the Ukranian league. Scouts regard him as an excellent athlete who plays above the rim and is primarily known for his defensive abilities as a rebounder and shot blocker.” Via ESPN.com
Did anyone see something like this coming? Another big guy…ok.
God help me if he makes the team and I have to start spelling his name a regular basis.
I agree with the move. Consolidates Monroe at 4, gives Pistons a Drummond/Kravtsov rotation at 5, lessens the load on Andre.
Kravtsov averaged 2 blocks per game on last year’s EuroCup, per Keith Langlois. Good news.
Hopefully this means we’ll amnesty a certain overpaid “big guy”… Good addition for the third string, can only surprise us, which is sure as hell one thing a certain overpaid “big guy” cannot do…
I saw him, because I’m frm Russia.
That’s what I keep saying since Mozgov signed with the NY and that was The Detroit Pistons who needed a bigman too.
There are big guys in Europe, NBA-ready bodies, hard on the defensive end, nice move from any angle: there’s nothing wrong if Kravtsov won’t be a prolific player, and it’s a steal if he can play in the NBA as a defensive stopper.
Kravtsov is a big body, but he needs to be in a gym constantly, I beleive Corey will tell him how to bulk up. He is not a flashy athlete, but has moves inside, can dunk, can make shots just outside the paint, can block shots and knows how and when to do it, and the main strenght of Kravtsov is that he will push Drummond to do his job every day.
If Andre’s words are for real, he won’t allow Kravtsov get more than 10-15 mins a game.
Kravtsov is a great sign that Joe did his job and found good guy for good price.
Who knows, maybe we will get Fysenko-like or Pekovic-like player who will be an asset in trades in some time.
Good job, Joe D.
If the scouting reports are correct, looks like the Pistons have their version of Joel Przybilla – albeit one not as strong on the glass. Like this pick a lot. Gives the Pistons size, depth, and defense, three areas they were woefully deficient in last year. Best of all, Joe Dumars didn’t have to overpay for it.
Were gonna need him without Big Ben but I thought we should have went for Kaman (again) as we need a veteran center. So how do I pronounce his name?
Slava Kravtsov. U should type it to Google translate and listen.
Thanks. I was actually kidding when I asked that but it turned out I was wrong with pronouncing his first name. Helpful indeed.
hahah i love this pickup. i watched a highlight reel of him on youtube and even though it was short i saw a lot of potential in the way he moves. Almost with a lot of aggression. I see him like possibly being an enforcer. And he has hops.
im not sure we make the playoffs this year but i can tell you im really excited about this year. Mostly because there is mystery. Unknown players, players gonna keep growing and we got rid of another player who needed to go. With possibly more moves after this. I’m happy 🙂
We needed a.other 7 footer so this is a good pick up. Maybe now people can stop hating on joey d.
Excelente jogador, um grande jogador, o pivô que faltava para ajudar Monroe. Bom trabalho Dumars!
Does this signal the end of Big Ben?