After locking up 2012 first round pick Andre Drummond and 2011 second rounder in Kyle Singler in recent days, Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars continues to bolster his roster for next season. And while he hasn't officially signed a contract, the Pistons and Ukrainian big man Slava Kravtsov have already reached a verbal agreement according to Freep.com and are expected to come to terms next week.
A 24-year-old forward who went undrafted in June, Kravtsov is touted by Draft Express as an adept shot-blocker with solid athleticism and a good touch around the basket. Although he was listed as a seven-footer by most publications leading up to pre-draft camps, Kravtsov measured in at a surprising 6-foot-8 and took everyone by surprise.
Clearly the misconception about his height scared a number of teams away, so the Pistons might just be getting a great value here for a guy who sports an incredible 7-foot-3 wingspan and projects as an above average post defender. It will understandably take Kravtsov a good deal of time to adjust to the NBA game, but he represents another young, solid addition to the Pistons' burgeoning frontcourt.
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