Vučević weighed Belgrade move before NBA return
The 35-year-old center Nikola Vučević has decided to return to the Orlando Magic this summer, but Belgrade's Crvena Zvezda said they held serious talks with him about playing in Europe.
This summer, 35-year-old center Nikola Vučević decided to continue his career with the Orlando Magic. The Montenegrin player finished the previous season with the Boston Celtics. However, before choosing the NBA, he had the option of returning to Europe.
A representative of Belgrade's Crvena Zvezda, Drčelić, said the club had held serious negotiations with Vučević about joining the Serbian team. He noted that Vučević is a big Crvena Zvezda fan, but that does not automatically make him a player of the club. He also emphasized that Vučević is a family man who has spent the last 20 years in the United States, and such decisions are not easy. Money was not a decisive factor for Vučević.
Drčelić revealed there was a gentleman's agreement between the sides — Vučević would wear the Crvena Zvezda jersey if he did not receive an offer from the NBA. Since he is an elite athlete who takes care of his body and career, the door to this collaboration is not closed.
Vučević spent most of his career with the Magic, representing Orlando from 2012 to 2021, when he was traded to the Chicago Bulls. He has appeared in two NBA All-Star games. Last season he averaged 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
