Forward Aleksej Pokusevski will return to Europe next season, having reached a deal with Partizan Belgrade. He will join his hometown team after making 168 appearances across four NBA seasons. Pokusevski split the 2023-24 campaign between Oklahoma City and Charlotte. The former first-round pick posted 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes last term. After showing early promise as a very versatile seven-footer, Pokusevski's NBA career was derailed by injuries. He will now attempt to recapture form in Europe, and there's every chance Pokusevski will eventually return to the NBA, as he is only 22 years old.
The Hornets waived forward/center Aleksej Pokusevski on Saturday. The 2020 No. 17 overall pick out of Serbia played in OKC for just over three seasons. However, after getting cut by the Thunder early in 2023-24, he signed with Charlotte, where he averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Without question, Pokusevski has talent. But injuries have prevented him from reaching his potential. If Pokusevski signs with a new team and stays on the floor, he may gain deep-league fantasy value in 2024-25. For now, his fantasy ceiling can't get any lower.
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Aleksej Pokusevski (illness) has been cleared to play on Monday versus the Celtics. He's recovered from an illness that kept Pokusevski on the shelf Sunday against the Clippers. The lanky Serbian has seen a boost in playing time lately and could get even more extra shifts on Monday due to Nick Richards' (foot) absence. He has averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 19.4 minutes across 10 games since moving to Charlotte.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aleksej Pokusevski is reportedly getting waived on Friday, according to Shams Charania. After being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, he was promptly traded to the Thunder, where he spent his first three seasons. During his time in Oklahoma City, Pokusevski averaged 7.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 turnovers per game while shooting just 38.7% from the floor. The 22-year-old only appeared in 10 games for the Thunder this season and fell out of the lineup once Chet Holmgren stepped into the starting lineup. Pokusevski could latch on with a rebuilding team and get some more opportunities to develop.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Aleksej Pokusevski (ankle) has been removed from the injury report, which signals that he's available for Wednesday's season opener against Chicago. The 21-year-old was considered a major doubt for the start of the season after he sprained his right ankle last month during a workout, but he recovered quicker than expected and is ready to roll. Pokusevski missed most of last season with a fractured tibia and must be eager to make up for lost time. He should get a decent role in the rotation straight away, with Kenrich Williams (back) and Jaylin Williams (hamstring) missing for OKC.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said on Wednesday that forward/center Aleksej Pokusevski's (ankle) rehab is "accelerating better than we thought." It implies Pokusevski is advancing faster than anticipated from a right-ankle sprain he suffered during a September workout, which was originally expected to keep him out for six weeks. The 21-year-old had a tough-luck summer to say the least, after Poku had to miss the FIBA World Cup with a small humerus fracture in his right arm. The 2020 first-rounder has been a tantalizing prospect for a few years now, but the shine has significantly worn off with Chet Holmgren now back in the fold. Poku at least has a chance to carve out a bench role with Jaylin Williams (hamstring) out for a few weeks, but he still may not be ready in time for the Oct. 25 opener.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (ankle) will be re-evaluated in six weeks after suffering an injury during a workout on Tuesday. This is a tough break for the 21-year-old after he missed the FIBA World Cup due to an arm injury. It seems unlikely that Pokusevski will be contributing by the beginning of the season. The former first round pick has only played in more than 45 games in a single season once through his first three years in the league. This season could go a long way to determining his role in OKC going forward. Pokusevski does have fantasy value, assuming he's able to carve out a significant role in the rotation.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Aleksej Pokusevski (leg) is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. Pokusevski appeared in 34 games in 2022-23, starting 25. While he had a few impressive showings, he sustained a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture in his left leg, forcing him to miss a large chunk of the year. Unfortunately, injuries have been a common theme for the 2020 No. 17 overall pick, and his development has suffered as a result. Despite that, Pokusevski has demonstrated he can be a productive player. However, he may have a tough time breaking into the Thunder's rotation during the 2023-24 campaign, considering Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, Jaylin Williams, and Jalen Williams, among others, will battle for minutes at the four and five spots.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (arm) will not play in the FIBA World Cup this summer. The 21-year-old Serbian suffered a small right humerus fracture amid an offseason workout earlier this summer. Pokusevski was initially set in early June for evaluation after four to six weeks, but he hasn't been medically cleared for action until August. The tantalizingly-talented former first-rounder should be ready for late-September training camp in OKC as a potential 2023-2024 breakout candidate.
Aleksej Pokusevski Expected Back At The End Of June
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aleksej Pokusevski (arm) suffered a right-humerus fracture earlier in the month but is expected to be healthy enough by the end of June to join the Serbian National team. Head coach Svetislav Pesic said that Pokusevski is currently rehabbing and that "he is under a question mark, the agreement is to see him soon." Pokusevski had his fair share of injury issues this past season, as he was only able to play 34 games, but the fact that he's expected to play in the FIBA World Cup should be good news for the start of the next NBA season.
