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11/22/2024 01:27:31 am

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NBA News & Rumors: Knicks Acquire Phil Jackson Protégé Sasha Vujačić

Sasha Vujačić and Kobe Bryant

(Photo : Getty Images) The Nets' Sasha Vujačić guards former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant in this file photo.

The New York Knicks had signed Phil Jackson's veteran triangle offense protégé Sasha Vujačić to a one-year, $1.35 million deal, as reported by Slam Online.

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The 31-year-old Slovenian played for Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers in five out of seven seasons of being with the franchise. He is a known perimeter and deep threat, shooting a career average of .395 from three-point range.

Best of all, Vujačić is a disciple of Jackson's triangle offense and was a backcourt partner of head coach Derek Fisher during all those years and their Lakers championship runs in 2009 and 2010, which would be a huge advantage for the Knicks this time around.

The 6-foot-7 shooting guard last played a full NBA year in 2010-2011 for the Lakers and then traded to the New Jersey Nets early in that season. He averaged career-highs in almost all primary statistical categories playing 28.5 minutes a night for the Nets, such as 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

Vujačić briefly appeared for two games in 2013-2014 for the Los Angeles Clippers, but he spent most of his time playing for basketball teams in Italy, Spain, and Turkey after 2011.

Fox Sports indicated that his one-year contract with the Knicks "is fully guaranteed for next season", which means that Jackson and Fisher are intending to give the veteran substantial minutes come October.

Vujačić can also be effective in helping New York's young players to adjust with the triangle and give them much-needed tips to make the system more seamless and efficient not only during practices but in actual games as well.

At the very least, Vujačić can be Fisher's assistant playing coach on the bench during games as he knows more about the triangle than anyone on the Knicks roster right now, except the coach of course.

Bleacher Report noted that there were earlier speculations that Vujačić will only be used as a training camp practice player. But as the fully guaranteed contract indicates, he may end up playing as backup for presumed two guard starter, Arron Afflalo, or a starter himself if Fisher slides Afflalo to the three spot.

Knowing Jackson, even a seemingly miniscule move like this has the potential to plummet the Knicks to reach their goals for the season much faster.

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