Cedi Osman wants to play in the NBA next year

If he gets his way, Cedi Osman will be playing in the NBA next season.

In a blog post for Eurohoops.net, Osman wrote that he wants to play in the NBA next season and follow in the footsteps of Dario Saric. Saric, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, is Osman’s teammate on the Turkish National Team.

Here’s an excerpt from the blog:

We have to do our best and try to be in the Final Four and also win the trophies in every domestic competition. For me personally, this is going to be a very tough season. I am planning to play in the NBA next season and that’s why I need to work hard. However, first of all, the most important thing is the team. Through the team, I can be myself. I hope that the season will be successful for every member of the team and that I will be ready to play in the NBA next season. That’s my goal.

When I started to play with coach Mahmuti in Efes, things were difficult for me, because it was my first season. Then, coach Vaggelis Aggelou came, and then Ivkovic and now Perasovic. All four of them are great coaches. Ivkovic was – and I use the past tense because he retired – one of the best coaches in the history of European basketball, if not the best. I had a great season working with him. I learned a lot of things from him. Now I have to learn from Perasovic and every day, step by step, I will try to be better. The team has really invested in me and I will try to do my best.

It’s a similar situation with what happened with Saric last season. Dario Saric is a really great player. I haven’t had the chance to speak with him recently, but we will get in touch. I know that he is very happy, because he is finally in the NBA. He also has big goals and I know that he will do great. When we were playing together I saw what kind of a fighter he is. He was always doing his best for the team and he will do the same for the Sixers.

Osman, who is still just 21, represents one of the Cavaliers’ best chances - if not the best - of finding a young player in develop. He’s played well in Europe, still rounding out his game and has a ton of upside. If he were to come over next year and joins the Cavs, it’s not hard to envision him pushing for playing time. At the worst, he’s insurance in case Richard Jefferson and/or Mike Dunleavy start showing their age in a meaningful age.

But Osman could also be trade bait for the Cavs if they looked to make a deal. There’s certainly a case to be made that he’s their best asset at the moment. But one way or another, Osman seems to be on track to be stateside next year.

Check out the full post here. In the post, Osman also touches on why he doesn’t like Star Wars despite having the nickname ‘Jedi’, 2017 Eurobasket and more.