NBA
Center Darko Milicic’s disappointing career hit another road bump on Thursday when the Minnesota Timber wolves decided to use the amnesty clause on his contract to release him from the team. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ intention to give an offer sheet for restricted free agent Nicolas Batum called for clearing cap space, and Darko Milicic’s amnesty is an aftermath of that decision. Darko Milicic was signed to by the Minnesota Vikings to a four-year contract worth $20 million.Darko Milicic, who was set to make $5.2 million next season, still has $10.9 million remaining on his contract of which, $7 million is guaranteed. In the course of this amnesty process, teams who can accommodate Darko Milicic on their cap space will have 48 hours to place bids on the Minnesota Timberwolves center of Serbian origins. The Minnesota Timberwolves will only be accountable for the remainder of Darko Milicic’s salary after most of it is covered by the team with the winning bid. If no team places a bid on Darko Milicic, then the player will be released as an unrestricted free agent.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were originally negotiating a three-team traded for Nicolas Batum with the Chicago Bulls serving as the third team in the deal. The Minnesota Timberwolves would have traded a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls to land Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum. The Portland Trail Blazers would have been offered shooting guard Kyle Krover from the Chicago Bulls. The Portland Trail Blazers would have also received two future first-round draft picks in return from the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the trade negotiations did not pull through, which prompted the offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Nicolas Batum is regarded as a suitable wing defender by the Minnesota Timber wolves, who are willing to hoping he will have an impact on their game with his smart plays and shooting talents from the 3-pointer range. Although the terms of the offer sheet have not been revealed, it is believed that the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are impressed by Nicolas Batum’s athleticism, are willing to pay a hefty four-year contract, somewhere in the range of $45 million which will possibly total above $50 million following bonuses.
The Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Oshely maintained that the franchise is ready to match any offer sheet coming Nicolas Batum’s way, even though the forward reportedly verbally agreed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Nicolas Batum’s agent Bouna Ndiaye expressed that they would desire that the Portland Trail Blazers didn’t match the offer sheet as his client wanted to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The second overall pick of the 2003 NBA drafts, Darko Milicic who was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, will be parting will be parting ways with the Minnesota Timberwolves after two and a half seasons. Darko Milicic averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and had a 45-129 record with the franchise. During his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Darko Milicic averaged almost nine points and six rebounds however, his production propped further towards the end.
Last season, Darko Milicic played only 29 game appearances and averaged 15 minutes per game. Darko Milicic averaged 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in the 2011-2012 season, and was replaced by Nikola Pekovic afar being plagued by multiple injuries.
