After Signing Bozic, Guangdong Coach Makes Another Major Move as Big Import Target Emerges

The CBA offseason is currently in a key stage for foreign player recruitment. Recently, reports that traditional powerhouse Guangdong may sign European forward Bozic have attracted widespread attention. According to European media reports, Croatian national team player Bozic is close to joining Guangdong Men's Basketball. Barring any surprises, Guangdong is expected to form a wing combination of Sumner and Bozic next season. The signing of a team-oriented foreign wing like Bozic shows that new Guangdong head coach Jakovlevic's tactical philosophy is based on a European-style team system. Notably, Guangdong's new coach Jakovlevic recently followed former NBA Cavaliers center Zizic on social media. There is a possibility that Guangdong's foreign coach Jakovlevic will attempt to bring in Zizic.

Statistics show that Bozic averaged 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the Spanish league last season. Standing 2.01 meters tall, he also possesses strong physicality. Bozic plays with toughness, excels at attacking the basket and scoring in the low post, has strong rebounding ability and some playmaking skills. His style, which does not rely on isolation scoring, fits well with Jakovlevic's emphasis on team basketball and a European tactical system. With Bozic nearing a move to Guangdong, the team's three-import roster for next season appears to have the foundation to compete for the championship. After all, both Sumner and Bozic are players who can provide Guangdong with a strong baseline. As for the big import position, many fans predict that Guangdong may use Jakovlevic's resources to pursue Zizic.

It is reported that Zizic is 2.09 meters tall with a wingspan of 2.16 meters. During his peak period with the Eastern Conference powerhouse Cavaliers in the NBA, he averaged 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Zizic is not a traditional rim-protecting center, but an all-around big man with strong passing ability, physical strength and finishing skills. In recent seasons, Zizic has continued to average more than 10 points per game in European competitions. Although Zizic has almost no significant three-point shooting ability, his height, wingspan and size could provide Guangdong with effective interior defense. Therefore, many fans predict that Guangdong may attempt to sign Zizic as its big import, upgrading its offensive and defensive balance from positions 3 through 5.

However, Zizic is currently still under contract with a European team. If Guangdong wants to acquire the former Cavaliers all-around big man, it would need to pay a certain buyout fee. Of course, Guangdong released Quinn, Salinger, McCall and Rakosevic during this summer's offseason, and the team now has enough budget and roster space to complete a buyout for Zizic. If Guangdong can obtain Zizic, his combination with Bozic would become a major advantage for Guangdong in challenging Beijing Shougang and Shanghai. Whether Guangdong can successfully pursue Zizic will depend on head coach Jakovlevic's personal connections.

It must be said that with Bozic's strong arrival, Guangdong's tactical system next season will become largely Europeanized. If Jakovlevic can also secure Zizic, Guangdong will once again have the ability to challenge the two major powerhouses from Beijing and Shanghai.