Samanic signed a one-year contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce on Monday.
The 24-year-old big man from Croatia will make his return overseas after he had spent the past five seasons stateside since entering the NBA as a first-round pick of the Spurs in 2019. After failing to emerge as a rotation player with the Spurs over his first two seasons in the league, Samanic played exclusively in the G League in 2021-22 before resurfacing at the NBA level with the Jazz over the past two seasons. He made a career-high 43 appearances in 2023-24, averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per contest. Since Samanic likely would have had to settle for a non-guaranteed deal in free agency if he had chosen to stick around in the NBA, he'll head to Turkey on what's presumably a more lucrative contract.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Explodes for 22 points Thursday
Rotowire
Samanic finished with 22 points (7-17 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 7-9 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Thursday's 124-121 victory over the Rockets.
Samanic has started in Utah's last two games, and it wouldn't be surprising if he does it in the final two contests of the campaign as well given the Jazz have nothing to play for down the stretch. Samanic has racked up 37 points, 16 rebounds and five assists during those two contests, so he could be worth a shot in deep slates given this unexpected increase in his usage rate.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: First career double-double Tuesday
Rotowire
Samanic posted 15 points (6-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists across 35 minutes during Tuesday's 111-95 loss to the Nuggets.
The 24-year-old forward played a career high in minutes Tuesday for a Utah frontcourt missing Lauri Markkanen (shoulder), John Collins (back) and Walker Kessler (nose), and Samanic turned the workload into his first career NBA double-double. With the Jazz jockeying for lottery positioning, Samanic may retain a significant role in the rotation for the final three games of the season.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Provides 12 points from bench
Rotowire
Samanic ended with 12 points (3-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block across 19 minutes during Tuesday's 129-113 loss to the Cavaliers.
The Jazz utilized Samanic frequently toward the end of last season, and it's a similar script for the fourth-year pro during his 2024 campaign. The Croatian is far outside the realm of fantasy viability, but the Jazz are out of the playoff hunt and will explore their bench liberally as the season comes to a close.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Back to bench
Rotowire
Samanic will come off the bench for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Taylor Hendricks is returning from injury, and he'll immediately join the starting lineup. Samanic has been struggling in five March appearances, shooting 32.1 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from beyond the arc.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Balanced outing in starting lineup
Rotowire
Samanic chipped in seven points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 123-107 loss to Boston.
Samanic got the starting nod in place of Walker Kessler, playing a limited role but still managing to finish second on the team in rebounds while falling three points short of the double-digit mark in a losing effort. Samanic has started in three games this season, posting his first game as a starter with at least five points and five boards Tuesday. Over those three starts, Samanic has averaged 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Gets starting nod
Rotowire
Samanic is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Celtics, David Locke of Jazz radio reports.
Samanic will replace Walker Kessler in the starting five Tuesday. Samanic is averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks in 21.0 minutes across his last two starting appearances.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Heads back to bench Saturday
Rotowire
Samanic is not in the starting lineup to face the Nuggets on Saturday.
Samanic made back-to-back starts against the Wizards and Bulls, but he'll return to his regular bench role with the addition of Walker Kessler to the starting unit. Samanic is averaging just 5.8 minutes per game when deployed off the bench, so he shouldn't have a big impact in most slates.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Spot start Monday
Rotowire
Samanic will start in place of Lauri Markkanen (quad) Monday against the Wizards, David Locke of Utah's radio network reports.
Samanic will log his first start of the season and the fifth start of his career Monday. He is joined by Taylor Hendricks and John Collins in Utah's frontcourt, easily representing the least desirable fantasy option of the three.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Leads bench in scoring
Rotowire
Samanic racked up eight points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and four rebounds in 12 minutes during Thursday's 115-107 loss to Orlando.
In just six appearances in February, Samanic has averaged 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Samanic should not be considered a viable fantasy option moving forward, especially sitting behind Brice Sensabaugh, who has averaged 10.7 minutes per game this month compared to Samanic's 4.5.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Returns to action Monday
Rotowire
Samanic (illness) played two minutes in Monday's 125-108 win over the Nets, finishing with five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and one rebound.
Samanic had missed Utah's last three games due to a non-COVID-19-related illness, but he was cleared ahead of Monday's contest and got a chance to play over the final two minutes of the contest while the Jazz had already sewn up the win. The 23-year-old will likely find himself outside of head coach Will Hardy's rotation while the Jazz have their full complement of forwards available.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Will play Monday
Rotowire
Samanic (illness) is available for Monday's game against the Nets, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Samanic was initially questionable for Monday's matchup due to a non-COVID illness, but he'll be able to return following a three-game absence. His availability shouldn't significantly impact Utah's rotation.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Samanic (illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Nets.
Samanic could potentially miss his fourth consecutive game due to a non-COVID illness. Samanic's status doesn't figure to impact the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Samanic (illness) will miss Saturday's game against the Kings, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Samanic is a fringe rotation player for the Jazz, and it doesn't help his case that Lauri Markkanen is healthy again. Samanic's next chance to suit up is Monday against the Nets.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Remains sidelined Thursday
Rotowire
Samanic (illness) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Samanic will be unavailable for a second consecutive game due to an illness. It's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return Saturday against the Kings.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Samanic has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks due to an illness, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Samanic played a season-high 17 minutes during Monday's loss to the Thunder, but he'll be unavailable for the first half of a back-to-back set Wednesday. His absence shouldn't significantly impact Utah's rotation, especially if Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) and Walker Kessler (foot) return to action.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Cracks rotation in loss
Rotowire
Samanic amassed five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one block across six minutes during Wednesday's 105-91 loss to the Grizzlies.
Samanic slid into the rotation for just the seventh time this season, scoring five points in six minutes during garbage time. Given he has yet to play more than nine minutes in any game, Samanic can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Dealing with back tightness
Rotowire
Samanic is questionable for Sunday's Summer League contest against the Rockets due to upper back tightness.
Samanic recorded 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, two bocks and one steal Friday, but he apparently is dealing with a back issue ahead of the semifinal matchup. Utah has already ruled five other players out Saturday, so if Samanic is also sidelined, the Jazz will be extremely shorthanded versus Houston.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Tagged as questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Samanic (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's Las Vegas Summer League game against the Timberwolves.
The Jazz will likely re-evaluate Samanic closer to the 10 p.m. ET opening tip before determining whether he'll be able to play through the right knee contusion. Samanic has yet to play in Las Vegas, but he saw action in all three of the Jazz's games during the Salt Lake City Summer League, averaging 13.3 points 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22.6 minutes in those contests.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Luka Samanic: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Samanic (knee) is out for Saturday's Summer League game against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Samanic sustained a knee injury during Utah's last game and will miss Saturday's tilt due to the issue. His next chance to play will come Monday against Minnesota.
