Saturday, June 28th 2014, 8:44 pm
*UPDATE: There are now reports coming out stating the Thunder has not put in an opt-out offer for Pleiss, conflicting with the initial reports out of Spain. We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
According to reports from Spanish publication Sentimiento AyN on Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder has offered to pay the approximately $1 million (800,00 euros) opt-out clause to Spanish club Baskonia for big man Tibor Pleiss.
The German-born center was drafted in 2010 by the Nets and then traded to the Hawks before Oklahoma City purchased his rights and stashed him in Europe. This potential deal would allow the Thunder to bring Pleiss over for the upcoming season, according to the initial report from the Spanish publication.
Pleiss started 21 of Baskonia's 24 games in the 2013-14 season, averaging 12 points, 5.4 rebounds and one block per game. The 7-foot-1 24 year old shot 55.7 percent from the floor and 86.3 percent from the foul line this past season in the premier Spanish professional league.
He has risen fast in Spain, improving his on-court productivity drastically in the past two years. He started just four games in 2012-13, averaging 6.1 points and 3.9 boards.
Baskonia is reportedly in dire straits financially and a reported buyout move for Pleiss could prove beneficial for both parties.
We will update as more information becomes available.
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