It appears that Olympiakos and Caja Laboral have some new competition for prized Serbian prospect, Nemanja Bjelica.
Bjelica, a second-round selection in the 2010 Draft, who went to Minnesota in a draft-day deal with Washington, was thought to be staying overseas for the next few seasons in order to season his game.
However, it now appears that the Timberwolves might have some interest in bringing over the 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward who last played for Red Star Belgrade of the Serbia-Superleague.
As reported by The Hoops Market via Basketblog:
“According to the Greek media, the Minnesota Timberwolves haven't given up on landing the 22-year-old Serbian forward this summer. On the other hand, Olympiakos is considering to improve the offer for Bjelica due to the interest of the head coach, Dusan Ivkovic, to have Bjelica in his team next season.”
The recent trade between the Timberwolves and the Cavaliers that sent Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins to Cleveland for Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair and a 2013 second-round pick could be one of the reasons Minnesota now has for signing Bjelica.
If waived prior to August 3rd, the Timberwolves would be required to pay only the guaranteed portion, $500,000, of West's deal to buy him out of his remaining 1-year, $4.7 million contract and, in turn, receive roughly $4.2 million in cap relief.
With that cap savings, Minnesota could theoretically sign Bjelica to a lucrative offer much like they did with former second-round pick, Nikola Pekovic, who the team signed this summer.
Regardless, it appears that Bjelica now has an opportunity be rewarded handsomely given the level of interest in his basketball talents.
© 2010 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved
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