The Celtics are reportedly on the verge of adding a key member of the NBA’s 2003 draft class.
Unfortunately for C’s fans, it’s not LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade. It is, however, the loaded draft class’ second overall pick.
That’s right. Darko Milicic will be joining the Celtics, according to CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely.
#CelticsTalk: Darko Milicic will be joining the #Celtics, league source tells #CSNNE.com. Story coming up shortly.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) September 20, 2012
News of Milicic flying back to the United States was first reported by Europe’s Novosti.rs, which also labeled the Celtics as the front-runners to sign the 7-foot Serbian. It wasn’t the first time Milicic has been linked to the Celtics, though, as Boston was reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears in July to be among the front-runners for the big man’s services.
Milicic, who has underperformed throughout his NBA career, was amnestied by the Timberwolves back in July, leaving some question as to whether he would opt to sign a more lucrative deal overseas instead of catching on with another NBA team. But Milicic reportedly turned down a three-year, $6 million offer from Real Madrid this summer because he wants to play in the NBA.
As mentioned, Milicic’s career in The Association has been far from impressive. The center was selected by the Pistons with the No. 2 overall pick in the deep ’03 draft — behind James, but ahead of Anthony, Bosh, Wade and a number of other serviceable NBA players. Milicic received little playing time for two years in Detroit before being dealt to Orlando just prior to the 2006 All-Star break. He’s bounced around ever since, posting pedestrian numbers along the way.
The 7-footer has averaged 6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game over the course of his nine-year NBA career. He averaged 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per contest in 29 games with the T-Wolves last season.
The Celtics, who start training camp on Sept. 29, are currently without a roster spot, but Milicic’s size — and perhaps untapped potential — was enough to at least get their attention.
Photo via Facebook/Darko Milicic
