Clippers: Milos Teodosic is a sleeper for Rookie of the Year

When discussing Rookie of the Year candidates, everyone has the same few names in their head. However, Clippers point guard Milos Teodosic is not in that circle and he really should be.

Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr, Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons. These four names already crowd the NBA Rookie of the Year talk and the first tip-off is yet to occur. In a Summer Forecast put together by ESPN, these four guys towered above the rest of the field. Clippers point guard Milos Teodosic came in seventh in the same forecast and is yet to receive any real consideration.

Although the signing of Teodosic was covered a good amount when it occurred, many regarded it as a depth move for the Clippers. Patrick Beverley seems to be in line to start at point guard with Austin Rivers behind him. Signing Teodosic will move Rivers to shooting guard with Lou Williams, but Beverly still holds the starting gig.

Beverley is no stranger to the starting rotation. The defensive specialist has been the starting point guard in Houston for four years now and has put together a good track record. Along with two All-Defensive inclusions, Beverley averaged 9.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season. With his great defense, Beverley is a viable starting option.

And he will be the starter to begin the season. However, that role will be Milos Teodosic’s for the taking.

Teodosic is not your average European signing. This guy is a star in his own right across the Atlantic and has proven he can ball with the rest. Kevin Durant said himself; he saw Teodosic deliver the greatest pass he has ever seen. Teodosic is that good and nobody seems to realize.

The Serbian is a one-time EuroLeague MVP as well as making three All EuroLeague First-Teams. While his stat-line does not jump off the screen, he has shown he can perform against the greatest players in the world. Against team USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics Teodosic dropped 18 points with six assists and three rebounds.

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Along with a 100-97 win over France, the 94-91 victory for the United States was the smallest margin of victory in the entire tournament.

Four years ago CSKA Moscow played the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA Preseason game. Teodosic dropped 26 points with nine assists in that contest. The guy can ball, he is a wizard and he is going to take over the starting spot in Los Angeles. Beverley’s defense is great, but it may be better suited off the bench.

Teodosic has experience on his side. While the Clippers guard may not be as polarizing as the rookies in the 2017 NBA Draft class, he has experience playing the best teams in Europe and squaring off against NBA level talent. Last season’s Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, scored 10.2 points with 4.2 assists a game.

While this season’s competition is going to be much greater, Teodosic can easily produce way better numbers than Brogdon’s. Don’t be surprised if you see Teodosic averaging 15 points and seven assists per game. If he does, that likely will be enough to win the award.

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Overall, we will just have to wait and see if Milos Teodosic can translate his European flare to the NBA. One thing is for certain, however. If Teodosic plays up to his potential, the Rookie of the Year may just be a shoo-in.

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