Bogut clearly sees a future in the NBA

CHICAGO — Andrew Bogut made several things clear Friday: He could see himself playing for Milwaukee or Atlanta next season.

For that matter, he can see, period. He is not in danger of losing his eyesight.

If that seems like a strange statement, well, consider that former Utah coach Rick Majerus reportedly told NBA executives a few weeks ago that Bogut has a degenerative eye disease. So besides the usual questions about his background, his strengths and weaknesses, the 7-foot Australian center from Utah found himself discussing his eyesight and his former coach during a predraft news conference.

Bogut, who did not get along well with Majerus, said he hasn't spoken with his former coach since the rumor circulated. And when asked about his relationship with Majerus, Bogut responded tersely: "Fine."

The same goes for his eyesight. It's fine, Bogut said.

"If every person who wears a contact lens in the United States has a degenerative eye disorder, I think you'd have a lot of sick people," he said. "I'm not going to go blind in two years, mate."

Besides reportedly spreading that rumor about Bogut's eyesight, Majerus told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that North Carolina forward Marvin Williams will be the best player in the draft. Is the former Utah coach crashing Bogut's stock?

"Not really," Bogut said. "I think if people believe the rumors that are floating around, that's up to them. But I know it's not true. There are no problems between me and him. I don't have a degenerative eye disorder."

Bogut said the rumor doesn't bother him, and if the Bucks pass on him because of that, it would be "their loss."

"I'd already be going blind if I had it," he said.

If his stock drops, it probably won't be a long fall.

Bogut is expected to go to Milwaukee with the No. 1 pick or Atlanta at No. 2 in the draft on June 28, after averaging 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds. The team that doesn't wind up with Bogut is expected to draft Williams, which could make him a trendsetter.

"Some people say that," said Williams, a reserve last season. "We're going to find out."

Bogut and Williams are expected to work out with Milwaukee and Atlanta before the draft. Williams said he probably won't work out for any other teams. Bogut said those will be his only workouts and the Hawks assured him they will pick him if Milwaukee passes.