Oleksiy

Pecherov

The 7-foot Pecherov played in Paris last season but remains under contract to his team in Ukraine. Pecherov holds a buyout option and has indicated that he would sign with the Wizards if they want him to play in the NBA this season. He averaged 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in five summer league games with Washington.

Pecherov is a great rebounder and the Wizards need someone to work the glass. He may stay overseas next year, as he may not be quite ready for the NBA, but should be a solid rebounding forward in the years to come. He can also knock down the outside shot, so it will be interesting to see if he can make the Wizards’ roster next year.

With Jusuf Nurkic, J.J. Hickson, Joffrey Lauvergne and Nikola Jokic already signed to guaranteed deals for next season, it’s very unlikely Percherov is able to land a spot on Denver’s opening-night roster. He’s not making a blip on the radar in any format, and can safely be ignored on draft day.

Pecherov will likely be headed back overseas.

Blatche, Darius Songaila and rookie Oleksiy Pecherov are listed as forwards, but all of them will see action at center. “We’re moving more towards calling them big men and not necessarily calling them centers or power forwards,” coach Eddie Jordan said. “We’re utilizing an offense where we may have three smalls [guards] and two bigs [forwards and centers], so they’re pretty much interchangeable. They can all do different things to help us.” Songaila could have value, while Pecherov isn’t likely to be worth owning this year. But Blatche should probably be bumped up cheat sheets, at least high enough that you think about grabbing him with your last-round pick.

We’d like him if Andray Blatche wasn’t around, but it appear unlikely that Pecherov will have much value this season.

The team didn’t announce the terms of either deal, but according to the NBA’s rookie wage scale, 2007 pick Young is guaranteed two years at a total of about $2.57 million, and the Wizards hold options for two additional years. Pecherov, a 7-footer, was drafted 18th overall in 2006 and played last season in his native Ukraine. Neither player is expected to have much, if any, fantasy value this season.

Pecherov, a 7-footer, was drafted 18th overall in 2006. He played last season in his native Ukraine, but shouldn’t make too big of a fantasy splash this season in Washington.

While this means little in the fantasy world, but should assure a few more minutes for Andray Blatche in Week 1.

“It feels good to be back out there with the guys,” said Pecherov. “I had to be patient and let the [ankle] get stronger and now I can start working on my conditioning and become familiar with the plays.” Pecherov should see some minutes in relief-duty behind Brendan Haywood and Andray Blatche, but is unlikely to establish any fantasy value.