Nikola Milutinov
C · 2015 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #26 (SAS)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, path to the draft, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #36 (#7 at his position); he went #26, 10 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
International prospect, born in Novi Sad, Serbia.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 41.7% of the time (151 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Never played an NBA game.
- Age
20.5 years old on draft night (born 1994-12-30).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (246 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 0 |
| Games | 0 |
The 2015 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2015 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Path to the draft International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| Age 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 11", 220 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 20.5 |
| Born | Novi Sad, Serbia |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #36 overall (#7 C) |
Picked around him 2015 redraft
| 23 | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | redraft #23 |
| 24 | Tyus Jones | redraft #8 |
| 25 | Jarell Martin | redraft #32 |
| 27 | Larry Nance Jr. | redraft #6 |
| 28 | R.J. Hunter | redraft #39 |
| 29 | Chris McCullough | redraft #35 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.