The Oklahoma City Thunder have purchased the NBA draft rights to Serbian center Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz, the two clubs confirmed Tuesday through press releases.
Koprivica, 25, is currently under contract with Bahçeşehir Koleji in Turkey’s top domestic league. The 7-foot-1 big man played two collegiate seasons at Florida State before entering the 2021 NBA Draft, where the Charlotte Hornets selected him with the 57th overall pick.
His rights have been moved several times since draft night. Charlotte immediately dealt them to the Detroit Pistons, who later sent them to the Los Angeles Clippers in a 2023 cash transaction. The rights landed with Utah last summer as part of a larger trade that involved Russell Westbrook and Kris Dunn.
There has been no public indication that Koprivica plans to join the NBA in the near future. By acquiring his rights, Oklahoma City secures a low-cost asset that could provide flexibility in future seasons, especially when new second-apron rules restrict the amount of cash that can be used in trades.
Source: Hoops Wire
