Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Vlatko Cancar
By Tony Heim
Unaware of the name Vlatko Cancar? You shouldn’t be. The 20-year old from Slovenia is an interesting perimeter prospect the OKC Thunder can’t overlook.
Vlatko Cancar is not the most polished player in the 2017 NBA Draft. His skillset as a stretch forward, however, makes him an interesting prospect for teams to develop.
Specifics
Height: 6’8
Weight: 210 pounds
Position: Power Forward
Age: 20
Professional team: Mega Leks
Statline: 5.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, .3 assists, .8 steals, .5 blocks
Current rankings
Please note that rankings are the most up-to-date at the time of writing this. They are subject to change at any moment and for any reason.
Draft Express: 56th overall prospect
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: NR
CBS Sports: NR
Skills
Cancar has risen up some draft boards because of his unique versatility at the power forward position. Although he didn’t show it this season, the 20-year old has a solid jumper both from mid-range and deep. He won’t create many opportunities for himself in the half-court, but teams aren’t drafting him to be a playmaker.
The mighty Slovenian (shoutout my homeland) also has potential to be a starting-caliber defender with a little work. Cancar plays the game with 110% effort at all times, hence his 1.3 “stock” average (blocks +steals) in only 18 minutes of play. He isn’t quick up-and-down the floor but laterally he can keep up with NBA bigs.
Weaknesses
Although Cancar does have the game to be a rotational big he isn’t nearly developed enough to play immediately. Cancar has to fine tune his ball handling and shooting to be a true NBA offensive threat; until then opponents won’t stress over him on that end.
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Physically Cancar will have to defend bigs, but he isn’t physically strong enough to handle post players. His defensive footwork is still spotty on the perimeter and down-low as well. Cancar hasn’t played against top-level competition as long as his peers, making him a bigger risk for the world’s best basketball league.
The fit
If the Thunder are thinking about drafting-and-stashing Vlatko Cancar the move makes sense. Oklahoma City is stocked with bigs presently but in a few years their fortunes could change. Cancar projects to be a floor spacer with defensive upside, the exact type of big man the Thunder currently lack.
Like with all these second round prospects it’s going to take a Sam Presti trade to bring them to Oklahoma City. The current roster has to be filled with cheap contracts, hence making a trade of this ilk likely. However it probably won’t be for a drash-and-stash prospect like Cancar because of his inability to contribute right away.