Bjelica about to sign with powerhouse Olympiacos

[MinnFanMan]

Bump - rather than start a new thread.

[MinnFanMan]

Minnesota Timberwolves have interest in signing Nemanja Bjelica
July 28, 4:03 PMNBA Draft ExaminerNeal Leitereg

http://www.examiner.com/x-52130-NBA-Dra ... ja-Bjelica

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.”

[moss_is_1]

It would be cool to bring him over, but then again...he might get pissed because where the hell would we find minutes for him?

[Breakdown777]

I don't like it if the Wolves are playing the "we want you/we don't want you/we want you" tease game with him.
I think if we offered him a deal from the get go, he'd be suited up for the season.
Instead, the FO probably believes they are getting a backup PF in FA or trade and know it'd benefit him to stay overseas.
Now that our backup PF crop is slimming, we decide it wouldn't be bad to bring him over now.
I hope this isn't what is happening, but this is sort of what it sounds like.
I think he should still sign in Olympiacos on like a 2-3 year deal with a decent buyout each season.

[MinnFanMan]

so if I have this correct . . . .
Benetton Treviso signed Bjelica to a 3-year deal, but 2 other Euro teams decided to try work a transfer from Benetton Treviso.
-Olympiakos tried , and was thought to be a front-runner, but they were rejected. They will either increase the offer or plan to pursue Alan Anderson.
- If nothing else develops, Bjelica will likely be annouced as a player for Caja Laboral within a day or so.
- the Wolves still have some interest, but I think there is a 1mm buyout if the Wolves want him. and I don't think he can get significant playing time with the Wolves next year.

[slinky]

I don't like it if the Wolves are playing the "we want you/we don't want you/we want you" tease game with him.
I think if we offered him a deal from the get go, he'd be suited up for the season.
Instead, the FO probably believes they are getting a backup PF in FA or trade and know it'd benefit him to stay overseas.
Now that our backup PF crop is slimming, we decide it wouldn't be bad to bring him over now.
I hope this isn't what is happening, but this is sort of what it sounds like.
I think he should still sign in Olympiacos on like a 2-3 year deal with a decent buyout each season.

Isn't this how professional sport offseasons work? Every team has a wish list, and they keep going down the list until someone says yes. Its no different than stashing Euro's. If Prestes wanted to come over than the Wolves would have to decide if they would rather have him or the next best option in FA.

Same with Bjelica, he or his agent should know what the wolves depth chart looks like...if they sign the deal with the Wolves than they should have a pretty good idea about what his playing time looks like.

To me I think its possible that (if true) the wolves realized they have a potentially very good player who isn't ready yet to physically play in the NBA. But the kid claims he wants to play here, and they also know some powerhouse euro teams could 'rubio' his buyout, making it impossible for him to be here in the 2-3 years, so the choice becomes sign next best free agent to play some meaningless backup minutes,,,or sign Bjelica knowing that he will be under their control, and in the meantime they can work him out day after day, while pumping him some 'pecherov' minutes every once in a while.

I know nothing about the guy other than what I have read...but if this guy has a lot of potential AND the wolves are actually really good at player development, than I think this would be a great move.

[brassviews]

I didn't really expect him to be on the team, but man all these Euro-stashes are getting pretty disheartening.

Blame the GMs, not the players they draft.

After the Fran Vazquez situation, teams should have been more aware of international players.

[walchy]

i have no problem with it. This way, they are essentially calling dibs on a player, and letting them develop in a good league. if it works out, hey you've got a good euro! if not, you essentially took the same risk you would have taken with any other american second rounder, except they take up a spot on the roster and see no playing time.

[Saltine]

Beli said he needed to get stronger to play in the NBA. From what I recall reading in the foreign press, he also thought playing in the euroleague against better competition will get him prepared for the NBA. From what the wolves said the other morning, they would like him to spend the year in the D league, so they can monitor his workouts and diet... I think he'll get paid much better in Greece, and the competition should be a little more intense. He does really want to play over here, unlike some of the euro stashes...Whatever he chooses, he's a very nice prospect, not often you find a 6'10" point guard

[mnWI]

Word is that he'll be signing a 5 year deal with Caja Laboral in Spain, and have an NBA opt out after 2 years. I guess he did sign a pre-contract with Benneton Treviso before the draft, but pre-contracts are non-binding and are basically the framework for coming to an agreement.

[re49gb_2gho32fp]

Word is that he'll be signing a 5 year deal with Caja Laboral in Spain, and have an NBA opt out after 2 years. I guess he did sign a pre-contract with Benneton Treviso before the draft, but pre-contracts are non-binding and are basically the framework for coming to an agreement.

The Serbian "Decision" soap opera seems to have reached an end according to several Serbian based media. Ive been reading throughout the week that Bjelica would make his today (read Caja Laboral set it as deadline date). Unoficially he will sign with the Spanish champs with the terms depicted by a/m user:

http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... l=sr&tl=en

http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... l=sr&tl=en