Free agent signees, trade acquisitions, and 2023 draftees have been the most common additions to NBA rosters in recent weeks. However, a small number of players come via the draft-and-stash route, as teams bring aboard players drafted in previous years.
First-round draftees from the last three years are limited to the 2023 rookie scale, though there are no players who will fit that bill this season.
Players who were previously selected in the second round of a draft – or who were first-round picks more than three years ago – are free to sign any type of contract via cap room or exceptions. The new second-round pick exception can be used to sign draft-and-stash players who were second-rounders.
Listed below are the draft-and-stash prospects who have signed so far in 2023/24, with contract details noted.
If and when more teams add draft-and-stash players, we’ll update this list, which can be found at anytime on the right-hand sidebar of our desktop site under “Hoops Rumors Features,” or in the “Features” page in our mobile menu.
Vasilije Micic, G, Thunder
2014 draft (No. 52)
(story)
Originally drafted by Philadelphia, Micic had his NBA rights traded to Oklahoma City in 2020’s Al Horford/Danny Green deal.
As he developed into a star for Anadolu Efes in Turkey, earning EuroLeague MVP honors in 2021 and winning consecutive EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022, Micic seemed unlikely to find common ground with the rebuilding Thunder, given his desire to join an NBA playoff team. But OKC held onto his rights and – after earning a play-in spot in 2023 – was able to convince Micic to join an ascendant squad.
Contract:
- Three years, $23,555,150.
- First two years guaranteed. Third-year team option.
- Signed using room exception.
Sasha Vezenkov, F, Kings
2017 draft (No. 57)
(story)
Originally drafted by the Nets, Vezenkov had his NBA rights traded to Cleveland in 2021’s multi-team James Harden blockbuster, then was flipped to Sacramento along with cash for a second-round pick in 2022.
Like Micic, Vezenkov didn’t initially seem eager to join a non-playoff team, but both he and the Kings took huge steps forward in 2022/23 — Vezenkov was named the EuroLeague MVP, while Sacramento made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. That made them a better match this offseason.
Contract:
- Three years, $19,975,609.
- First two years guaranteed. Third-year team option.
- Signed using room exception.
Filip Petrusev, F/C, Sixers
2021 draft (No. 50)
(story)
After being drafted by the Sixers in 2021, Petrusev spent a year with Anadolu Efes in Turkey, then joined Crvena Zvezda in Serbia in 2022/23. Having won a EuroLeague title in 2022 and a Serbian League title in 2023, he was eager to test himself in the NBA, even if his pay and role will be modest.
Petrusev is part of a crowded frontcourt depth chart in Philadelphia, joining Paul Reed, Montrezl Harrell, and Mohamed Bamba behind Joel Embiid, and his minimum-salary deal is only partially guaranteed in year one.
[UPDATE: Petrusev has been traded twice, first to the Clippers and then to the Kings.]
Contract:
- Two years, $3,011,420 (minimum salary).
- First year partially guaranteed ($559,782). Second year non-guaranteed.
- Signed using minimum salary exception.
Gui Santos, F, Warriors
2022 draft (No. 55)
(story)
Santos signed a G League contract after being drafted by the Warriors in 2022, spending the season with Santa Cruz while Golden State retained his NBA rights.
After opening the 2023/24 season with just 13 players on standard contracts, the Warriors had two weeks to add a 14th man to reach the required roster minimum and chose to make Santos that player. While he’s getting a promotion to Golden State’s standard roster, Santos only has a lightly guaranteed contract and will still likely spend plenty of time assigned to Santa Cruz.
Contract:
- Three years, $5,143,017 (minimum salary).
- First year partially guaranteed ($75,000). Second and third years non-guaranteed. Third-year team option.
- Signed using second-round exception.
You left out (Hardware) Henk Norel !!
In yet another fruitless (thus far) use of their draft choices
He was drafted with the 47th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Inept Minnesota Timberpuppies.
It is NEVER TOO LATE !!!
All three have a chance to complete now. They can all get mins this yr. Petrusev probably has the hardest rd. But it should only make him better.
Hard to believe the Cav’s traded Vezenkov for a 2nd round Pick. They could use him now.
eh, we used that pick on Isaiah Mobley, so if I had to choose between keeping Evan happy or signing a euro guy who may not be all that, I’d pick Evan each time.
Solid point. That however assumes JB is willing to use the senior Mobley in the rotation. ⁴last season and is a large wing. Precisely the spot of our greatest need. If JB uses Isaiah it should be an excellent move. That said I believe we lost to the Knicks because JB was afraid to use enough players off or bench to keep our starters fresh.