Fansided

Nemanja Bjelica changes his mind on the 76ers and Europe, signs with the Kings

By Jeremy Lambert

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles down the court in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles down the court in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings steal Nemanja Bjelica from the Sixers and Europe, signing the forward to a three-year deal.

Nemanja Bjelica pulled the ol’ offseason swerve on the Philadelphia 76ers. Early in free agency, Bjelica and Sixers agreed to terms on a one-year deal that would pay him the mid-level exception. The 30-year-old forward backed out of the agreement, claiming he would be heading overseas to play in Europe.

Instead, he’s heading across the country to play in Sacramento. According to Yahoo’s Shams Charania, Bjelica signed a three-year deal worth $20.5 million with the Kings.

Go get that money, Nemanja.

Bjelica averaged 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. Because he was a bench player for Tom Thibodeau, he didn’t play many minutes. However, when Jimmy Butler went down with an injury in February, Bjelica became the starting small forward. In 21 games as a starter, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. All while shooting 41 percent from three.

Why Sacramento would pay $20.5 million across three seasons for a guy on the wrong side of 30 is a different question. But if we tried to make sense of Vlade Divac’s reasoning after every move, we wouldn’t get a whole lot accomplished in our lives.

The Kings just traded away Garrett Temple, a similar player to Bjelica on a shorter contract, re-acquire Ben McLemore. Again, let’s not look for logic where there doesn’t appear to be any.

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Sacramento needed help at small forward and, if nothing else, Bjelica can play small forward. For that reason, this is a good move by Sacramento. It’s not every day a player trusts the Kings process over The Process.

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