Former first-round pick Sam Dekker is reportedly on his way out of the NBA.
According to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, Dekker is finalizing a deal to join Russian team Lokomotiv Kuban. While terms of the negotiations are not disclosed, the report says the two parties are close to making an agreement, with only a few details left.
Sam Dekker is finalizing an agreement with Russian powerhouse Lokomotiv Kuban, a source told me and @AlessandroMagg4.
Only a few details are left before the deal becomes official— Emiliano Carchia (@Carchia) August 3, 2019
Dekker was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He spent two seasons with the Clutch City team and served as a backup forward before Houston dealt him to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the trade package for Chris Paul.
After one season with the Clippers, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018-19. He appeared in just nine games for the Cavs before the Wine and Gold sent him to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dekker has career averages of 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game on a 46.9 field goal percentage.
The 25-year-old big man joins a number of players who opted to go overseas after failing to find an NBA team. In particular, ex-NBA guard Ron Baker is also heading to Russia after inking a one-year deal with CSKA Moscow.
Returning to the NBA is certainly not out of Dekker's options. However, just like the other NBAers who chose to look for opportunities outside the league, he needs playing time and a chance to show what he can do.
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