Feb. 4, 2026, 6:05 p.m. CT
Before the NBA trade deadline was even close to wrapping up, the Oklahoma City Thunder did all of their homework early on. They acquired Jared McCain in a buy-low move from the Philadelphia 76ers. They also helped Ousmane Dieng land with the Chicago Bulls.
In Wednesday’s third move, the Thunder acquired Balsa Koprivica’s draft rights from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations. Koprivica has appeared in 159 career games across five seasons overseas, playing for both BC Partizan Belgrade and Bahcesehir.
The 7-foot-1 center has averaged 6.1 points, four rebounds and one block in 13.6 minutes per contest.
Koprivica was drafted with the No. 57 pick of the 2021 NBA draft. The 25-year-old played in two Summer League stints with the Detroit Pistons in 2021-22. Since then, his draft rights were traded to the LA Clippers. Eventually, they were dealt again in the 2024 trade that involved Russell Westbrook and Kris Dunn.
Not much to really make of this move. Perhaps the Thunder believe they can convince him to finally make the NBA jump this upcoming offseason — ala Vasilije Micic a few years ago. Or maybe it’s just another asset to add to their collection. Who knows. Worth the flyer, I guess, though.
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