Coming off an up-and-down three-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nemanja Bjelica headed into the NBA free agency period with uncertainty. However, the Philadelphia 76ers have decided to take a flier on the Serbian forward.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Bjelica and the 76ers have agreed to a one-year deal.
Forward Nemanja Bjelica has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources tell ESPN. Minnesota withdrew qualifying offer to make him a free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2018
Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer reports Bjelica will sign for the mid-level exception.
The Sixers are signing forward Nemanja Bjelica to the room mid-level exception, per source.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 5, 2018
With the Wolves, Bjelica didn’t get much burn behind a solid starting frontcourt comprised of Taj Gibson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Still, even in limited minutes, the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter showed flashes of offensive potential that Philly hopes carry over.
In fact, Bjelica shot some of the best percentages of his career last season in Minnesota, shooting over 40 percent from three and 80 percent from the charity stripe. With his impressive shooting stroke and capable scoring arsenal, Bjelica could flourish in Philadelphia behind fellow stretch 4 Dario Saric.
