The Golden State Warriors have acquired 6-11 forward-center Zarko Cabarkapa (pronounced ZAR-ko cha-bar-KAH-pah) from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for two future second round draft picks, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.
“We feel extremely fortunate to acquire a young and talented player who was a mid-first round draft pick a year ago,” said Mullin. “Zarko will provide our team with additional size, while his youth, ability to play multiple positions and potential are very intriguing. We think he has a bright future in this league.”
Originally selected by the Suns with the 17th overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft, Cabarkapa has appeared in 52 NBA games over one-plus season, averaging 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per contest. In nine career games when playing 20-or-more minutes (all last season), he has averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds.
Cabarkapa, 23, has played in just three games this season, averaging 3.0 points and 1.0 rebound in 3.7 minutes per contest. The 6-11 native of Serbia-Montenegro missed the first 17 contests of the 2004-05 campaign after being placed on the injured list on November 1 due to left knee tendinitis. As a rookie in 2003-04, he appeared in 49 games (four starts) and averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. On November 26, 2003 versus Dallas, he made his first career start and posted a career-high 17 points in 29 minutes, before suffering a broken right wrist on a fourth quarter dunk attempt in which he was the victim of a flagrant foul, penalty two.
Prior to joining the NBA, Cabarkapa played five seasons overseas in Yugoslavia with Beopetrol (1998-01) and Euroleague club Buducnost (2001-03), having made his professional debut as a 17-year-old. In 2002-03, he averaged a career-best 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and shot 68.6% from the field in 19 games in the YUBA League, while also averaging 11.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 13 Euroleague games. Additionally, he was a member of the gold-medal winning Yugoslavian team at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis.
Despite currently being over the NBA Salary Cap, the Warriors were able to make this transaction due to a trade exception that stems from their July 20, 2004 trade with Portland, in which Golden State acquired Dale Davis and Dan Dickau in exchange for Nick Van Exel.
Cabarkapa will wear uniform #11 for the Warriors.