Last season’s Euroleague MVP Nemanja Bjelica has joined the Minnesota Timberwolves on a three-year deal, worth $11.7million.
The Timberwolves are also paying an additional $625,000 for Bjelica’s buyout clause.
The Serbian international helped Fenerbahce to its first Euroleague Final Four last season, averaging 12.1 points, eight rebounds, while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
“I am excited to announce that I intend to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves and fulfill my dream of playing in the NBA,” Bjelica told Yahoo Sports in a statement sent through his agent Arn Tellem on Monday.
“Thank you Flip Saunders and the rest of the organization for the confidence you have shown in me. I’m looking forward to joining the team and helping it become a contender.
“Finally I want to thank my former club, Fenerbahce, its players and Coach Obradovic for two wonderful years in Istanbul and all we achieved together.”
Minnesota selected Bjelica with the 35th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, but both parties agreed that Bjelica remain in Europe. Now at 27, the Serbian forward, at 6’10” has grown into a versatile shooter that can disrupt defences with his outside game.
