In a league where stretch fours are highly coveted players, five-year NBA veteran Nikola Mirotic had a market in the NBA this summer. After the top-tier of free agents shook out, Mirotic’s phone was going to ring.
He’s passing on all that and heading back to Europe to play for Barcelona.
The first reports came out of the Spanish sports publication Diario SPORT.
#FCB | 🔵🔴#BaloncestoBarça El Barça de basket, a por Nikola Mirotic https://t.co/bjENjxWmTu pic.twitter.com/1nNcrxIa8b
— Diario SPORT (@sport) June 29, 2019
That has since been confirmed by sources here in the United States.
NBA free agent Nikola Mirotic has decided to sign with Euroleague club Barcelona, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Mirotic was in the market for $45-50M total in contract in the NBA.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2019
Utah had major interest in signing Nikola Mirotic to a three-year deal in the $45 million range, league sources say, but Mirotic was apparently determined to make a total change and return to @EuroLeague life
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2019
Some players prefer the European lifestyle and pace, but the money in the NBA makes it hard to turn down — Mirotic made $41.6 million in his five NBA seasons.
Mirotic has chosen what is most important to him, he’s going to win a lot of games in Spain, eat great tapas, and hopefully get to live the life he wanted.
