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Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade president Zeljko Drcelic also confirmed that Crvena Zvezda discussed a potential move with Nikola Vucevic this summer. The veteran center is a known supporter of the Serbian club but ultimately decided to continue his NBA career. "There were conversations," Drcelic revealed. "First of all, Nikola is an excellent person, but he is also a great Zvezda supporter. "That does not mean he will automatically become a Crvena Zvezda player."
Drcelic explained that Vucevic's family situation and long connection to the United States made a potential return to Europe a complicated decision. "He is a family man who has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, since his high school days," he said. "Such moves are not easy, and in his case, money was absolutely not a factor."
Keith Smith: Jevon Carter is getting a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. He'll hit the cap at roughly $2.4M. Same cap hit as Nikola Vucevic. I've got the Magic about $6.2M under the second apron with two open roster spots. Could squeeze in a Taxpayer MLE signing, but likely won't to avoid a second-apron hard cap.
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Jake Fischer: Very cool for Nikola Vucevic to go back to the Magic. He told me three years ago he wanted his family to live in Orlando upon retirement. And we know the Magic are expecting Moritz Wagner to depart the franchise this week, likely to Brooklyn.
Shams Charania: Free agent center Nikola Vucevic has agreed on a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to the Orlando Magic, sources tell ESPN. Vucevic -- who started his career in Orlando as a sophomore, spent nearly nine years with the Magic and has maintained a home there since -- turned down more lucrative offers elsewhere to reunite with the franchise.
Yossi Gozlan: The Magic are likely limited to minimum signings this offseason due to their tax and apron constraints. Not much better they can do bargain-hunting than Nikola Vucevic back on a minimum salary.
Nikola Vucevic: ‘My focus is truly on the NBA; my desire is to stay there. As I’ve said before, it is the best league. I’ve been there for 15 years and I would like to stay there until the end; I believe I still have a place there and the quality to play at a high level. Regarding Red Star (Zvezda), I’ve said before that if I ever decide to return to Europe, Zvezda would be one of the favorites—everyone knows that. But for now, that really isn't the focus. I don't want to create unrealistic desires or expectations among fans, or to sell them some false story or 'hype' them up. I’ve cheered for Zvezda since I was little, my father cheered for Zvezda, and that’s how it started. If I ever returned, Zvezda would be a favorite, but for now, it is not in the plan.’
Nikola Vucevic on Celtics: ‘The hardest thing for me was that I had been a starter for such a long number of years and seasons, where I had my set minutes, thirty-plus minutes, a certain number of shots, and a defined role. When you play like that, you know what is expected of you and you are used to your own rhythm. Coming to Boston, I was prepared for the possibility that I would very likely be coming off the bench if a trade occurred. Regarding me personally, it wasn’t a problem to adapt from an ego standpoint, or that I felt any different, but coming off the bench is simply entirely different, especially for a center. You depend on how the starting center plays. In some games I played more, in some less, but when the minutes are lower, it isn't easy to find your rhythm. It might have looked better if I had been there from the start of the summer.’
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Nikola Vucevic: 'What irritates me is that people from Europe say the NBA is just a show. If people had watched Boston or Oklahoma City or San Antonio all year, they would realize that NBA teams play defense. It looks different because the players are so good and so powerful and talented that everything they do looks so easy and beautiful. It’s like watching a Formula 1 driver; they take corners and brake without a problem, but if you tried to do it, it wouldn't go so easily. In the NBA, they let you play more, to outplay your opponent. In Europe, it’s more about, 'Let me spoil his game and mine, it doesn't matter how it looks, as long as we win'. I prefer to play, and if he beats me because he is better, here is my hand. Players should be able to use their talent to the maximum.'
He then moved to Boston, but his time with the famous franchise was marred by a finger injury in a game against Dallas at the end of the regular season. In the end, the Celtics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia, who overcame a 3-1 deficit and advanced to the semifinals. "There were good and bad moments in Boston. I think the finger injury, which took me out for a month, had a big impact. The timing of the injury itself had a big impact - right before the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. Then I couldn't find the right rhythm, fit in with my teammates, and find my way in my new role."
Gary Washburn: #Celtics get a gritty 108-100 win over the #76ers, Jayson Tatum with a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:57 to seal it. BOS leads series 2-1. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 for PHL but just 2 in the final 8:42. He looked exhausted. Jaylen Brown 25, Payton Pritchard 15, Nikola Vucevic 11, Derrick White 11.
