Back in 1995 — while you were listening to Coolio rap “Gangster’s Paradise,” watching the O.J. Simpson trial, and using your cell phone to actually make calls — Sacramento Kings GM Geoff Petrie used a late second round pick on Dejan Bodiroga.
The Serbian point forward — who played for the Serbian national team with Vlade Divac — never came over to the NBA, despite multiple efforts by the Kings, and is still considered one of the better European players never to test the NBA waters. He was a Spanish and Greek league MVP and won multiple titles in European leagues.
Friday, the Kings finally renounced his draft rights.
The Sacramento Kings have renounced the draft rights for Dejan Bodiroga. He's a free agent. He's 44 years old.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 21, 2017
He’s just 44 and hasn’t played professionally since 2007, are they sure he still couldn’t contribute? (Insert your own Jose Calderon joke here.)
Kings fans on Twitter were awesome.
Kings should've held on to Bodiroga, had him come in and mentor that young upstart Vince Carter.
— Bart Out of Hell (@BartonRoberts) July 22, 2017
End of an era!
— Kevin Fippin (@kfippin) July 21, 2017
They have held this dude’s rights for my entire adult life. https://t.co/W7hGSLlGRi
It is finally time for Dejan Bodiroga to play in the NBA. He is a free agent now https://t.co/c23l6PRUUW
— Sportando (@Sportando) July 21, 2017
Kings just keep losing assets for nothing. https://t.co/VM4UjUXC0r
— Greg (@gwiss) July 21, 2017
