PRO TEAM: FC Barcelona Regal
VITALS: 6'6", 190 lbs.
YEAR DRAFTED: 2013 by Oklahoma City (Round 2, Pick 32)
RIGHTS HELD BY: Oklahoma City
There isn't much to say about Abrines since his career has been quite brief. The young Spaniard was the second pick of the second round last year by OKC. He's represented Spain at both the Under-18 and Under-20 levels and won medals at the European Championships with both squads (gold at U-18, bronze at U-20). He had no chance of breaking through in a crowded Thunder back court this season so he stayed in Spain with his current team Regal Barcelona; who have produced NBA stars Pau Gasol and Ricky Rubio. However, his current playing status at Barcelona leaves him mired in the same predicament. He is stuck behind Spanish legend (and former NBA guard) Juan Carlos Navarro and Brazilian international Marcelinho Huertas. He is gaining valuable large stage experience for the first time though since Barcelona qualified for Euroleague after winning Spain's Copa Del Rey. His previous two teams, Clinicas Rincon and Unicaja Malaga, never qualified for the competition.
The Thunder have the luxury of keeping the youngster overseas as long as they want. Russell Westbrook is entrenched into one guard role for the long term but the other spot should be in flux over the next couple seasons. If Abrines develops like Thunder brass thinks he can he could easily supplant Reggie Jackson or Andre Roberson alongside Westbrook going forward and be a bargain cap-wise. What is Alex's take on whether that will happen?
Thanks for reading the fourth release of Draft Rights Retained right here on Bleeding Your Colors! I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to bringing you more wacky stories of players who the NBA has long since forgotten, but not their draft rights. Stay locked for a new profile each and every day until the list is exhausted. For more of me, check out my Twitter
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Image Credit: Alex Abrines (Wikipedia.org), Abrines Thumbs Up (euroleague.net)