With Timofey Mozgov having reunited with head coach David Blatt on the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this season, another Russian big man will potentially reunite with his teammate and coach from the 2012 Summer Olympics Russian national team.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, 29-year old Russian center Alexander “Sasha” Kaun will consider making a return to the United States for a shot in the NBA in the 2015-16 season.
7-footer Sasha Kaun told Russian media he wants to come to NBA next year. Cavs own his rights, played for David Blatt. (Via @sportando )
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) March 22, 2015
The 7-foot center Kaun, a second round pick of the Seattle Supersonics in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Kansas University, had his draft rights immediately traded to the Cavs for cash considerations.
In his sixth season for CSKA Moscow in the VTB United League, Kaun is averaging 9.9 points (68.6 percent shooting from the field), 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 21 contests played. However, his statistics are accumulated in only a little over 19 minutes per game.
In a recent interview regarding his decision with CSKA Moscow next season, Kaun wasn’t quite sure on what his future holds.
“I’m waiting for the season’s end to decide what is best for me,” said Kaun. “The final decision will be made after I talk on the matter with my wife. It’s important for me to keep my family happy and around.”
If the Cavs were to come forward and make the Russian big man an interesting proposal, he would be up for the challenge in the United States.
“It’s my desire to try myself in the NBA,” said Kaun. “And if I still have a proper interest and motivation for basketball, I’m ready to play for some more years.”
The last time he played basketball in the United States, Kaun was a key component in the Kansas Jayhawks’ run that crowned them as the NCAA men’s college basketball champions for the 2007-2008 season.
During his Jayhawks tenure, he was teammates with current NBA players such as Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers, Denver Nuggets power forward Darrell Arthur and Golden State Warriors shooting guard Brandon Rush.
