Former NBA champion may sign with Serbian team

Former NBA big man Nemanja Bjelica appears to have an agreement to join Crvena Zvezda in the Serbian League, according to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. The move was first reported by Serbian media outlet Meridian Sport.

Bjelica, 35, played for Crvena Zvezda early in his career before coming to the NBA. He signed a two-year deal with Turkish power Fenerbahce last summer, but a calf injury kept him on the sidelines until early March and limited him to seven games. He was told last month that he’s not in the club’s plans for the upcoming season.

Bjelica last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, appearing in 71 games as a reserve for the Warriors. He averaged 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per night and played an important role off the bench in Golden State’s championship run.

The Wizards selected Bjelica with the 35th pick in 2010 and sent his rights to the Timberwolves in a draft night trade. He spent five more years in Europe before joining Minnesota for the start of the 2015/16 season.

He signed with the Kings in 2018 and was sent to the Heat at the 2021 trade deadline before inking a deal with the Warriors that summer. He appeared in 449 total games with four teams, making 162 starts and averaging 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds for his NBA career.

Bjelica was a highly decorated player in Europe and earned EuroLeague MVP honors in 2015. He has also been a longtime member of the Serbian national team and won a silver medal at EuroBasket in 2009.