Nemanja Bjelica is a 27-year-old big man who can stretch the floor and shoot the three, and he’s coming to Minnesota.
Timberwolves coach-president Flip Saunders informed ESPN Radio on Sunday that Bjelica will be on the Wolves’ roster this season.
On Euro big Nemanja Bjelica, Wolves coach Flip Saunders tells NBA Insiders on @espnradio "we will bring him over" in time for next season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 28, 2015
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune says the 6-foot-10 power forward has the ability to play like a guard and he showcased his skills by shooting 37 percent from three while averaging more than 12 points and 8 rebounds per game en route to being named MVP of Euroleague last season.
The Euroleague is the top professional league outside of the NBA.
Minnesota acquired Bjelica 35th overall in 2010 draft.
Saunders told Zgoda that Bjelica might have been a top 10 pick if he were in last week’s NBA Draft, where the Wolves selected Karl-Anthony Towns No. 1 overall and then made a trade to acquire Apple Valley native Tyus Jones.
Pro Basketball Talk compared Bjelica’s game to Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic, who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Andrew Wiggins last season.
Basketball Insiders caught up with NBA scout Brad Greenberg; he’s the guy who ran the Philadelphia 76ers when they drafted Allen Iverson. Greenberg loves Bjelica’s game.
“Bjelica is the most efficient and consistent player on his team,” Greenberg said. “He’s unique because he can move with and without the ball, run the floor and start a fastbreak. He has isolation sets run for him, he can attack from the top and poses all sorts of problems.”
When solid organizations like the Spurs, Mavs, Pacers, & Bulls like Bjelica, that tells you all you need to know about keeping him. #twolves
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 27, 2015
