Aleksandar "Sasha" Pavlović, born on November 15, 1983, in Bar, Montenegro, embarked on his professional basketball journey in Europe before making his way to the NBA. His career began with Budućnost Podgorica, a team in the Yugoslav League, where he played from 2000 to 2003. His performances in Europe caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection in the 2003 NBA Draft.
The Utah Jazz picked Pavlović as the 19th overall selection in the first round of the draft. He spent his rookie season with the Jazz, where he played in 79 games and averaged 4.8 points per game. His time in Utah was brief, as he was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft, only to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers shortly thereafter.
Pavlović's tenure with the Cavaliers marked a significant phase of his NBA career. He played for Cleveland from 2004 to 2009, a period during which the team, led by LeBron James, became a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. Pavlović was known for his defensive skills and three-point shooting ability, which made him a valuable role player for the Cavaliers. During the 2006-2007 season, he played a crucial role in helping the team reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, although they were ultimately defeated by the San Antonio Spurs.
After his stint with the Cavaliers, Pavlović's career saw him move across several teams. In 2009, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he played a limited number of games before being waived. He then signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2009-2010 season, appearing in 71 games and averaging 3.7 points per game.
The following years saw Pavlović continue to move around the league. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2010 but was waived before the start of the season. Shortly after, he joined the New Orleans Hornets, where he played a handful of games. In 2011, Pavlović signed with the Boston Celtics, where he spent one season, contributing as a bench player.
In 2012, Pavlović was part of a multi-team trade that sent him to the Portland Trail Blazers. He played the 2012-2013 season with the Trail Blazers, appearing in 39 games. His role with the team was primarily as a veteran presence and a defensive option off the bench.
After his time in the NBA, Pavlović returned to Europe, where he continued his professional basketball career. He signed with Partizan Belgrade in 2014, a team competing in the Serbian League and the EuroLeague. Pavlović's experience and skills were valuable assets to the team during his time there.
Throughout his NBA career, Pavlović was known for his defensive capabilities and his ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
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