Report: Darko Milicic Strongly Considering Leaving Celtics to Be With Sick Mother

It can be hard for the everyday person to empathize with professional athletes, who have fame, fortune and whole different set of concerns and responsibilities than Joe Schmo. Still, some things are relatable no matter what, such as dealing with an illness in the family.

Darko Milicic is “leaning strongly” toward leaving the Celtics permanently to be with his sick mother in Europe, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports. Milicic, who has appeared in only one game this season, did not travel with the Celtics to Detroit on Sunday for what Celtics coach Doc Rivers termed a personal matter.

Milicic signed a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum salary this summer but has found himself mired at the bottom of the depth chart behind Kevin Garnett, Chris Wilcox and Jason Collins. If he does return to Europe, it could mean the end of his NBA career.

Wojnarowski suggests that Milicic’s departure could reopen the door to the Celtics signing free agent Kenyon Martin, although the team could be in need of more of a true big body than the 6-foot-9 veteran forward.

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Thumbnail Photo via Facebook/Darko Milicic