With three teams, Caja Laboral, Olympiakos and the Minnesota Timberwolves, all vying for the Serbian forwards services, it appears that Caja Laboral has emerged as the favorite to sign Nemanja Bjelica.
Bjelica was selected 35th overall in the recent 2010 NBA Draft by Washington, but was traded along with Lazar Hayward (30th pick overall) to Minnesota for the 23rd selection, Trevor Booker, and the 56th overall selection, Hamady N'Diaye.
It was thought that Bjelica would remain overseas before coming over and joining the Timberwolves at a later date in time and a number of European clubs were lining up at the door for his services.
Both Olympiakos of the Greek League and Caja Laboral of the ACB showed immediate interest in the 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward early on and it appeared that Bjelica would be headed to one of those two clubs.
This was until the Timberwolves themselves surprisingly entered the race to bring Bjelica stateside sooner than later.
Now, according to The Hoops Market via Noticias de Alava and Superbasket, Bjelica is likely to play for Caja Laboral, who closing in on a deal with the player.
Any deal between Bjelica and a new European club must be negotiated with and go through Benetton Treviso of the Italian Basketball League A, who currently own his rights in Europe for the next three seasons.
© 2010 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved
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