By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With a questionable future in FC Barcelona, Nikola Mirotic seems to be considering other options.
Mirotic, 32, is in advanced talks with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, as mentioned in a recent podcast hosted on Bar Canaletes.
The experienced forward, season MVP of the 2021-22 edition of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, has been rumored to depart Barca. Being reluctant in accepting a salary cut, as noted in the latest status update, seems to paint the picture of the current situation. Seeking a deal elsewhere brings up Ettore Messina’s team as a possible destination.
The highest-paid player in EuroLeague, according to the 2022-23 list presented by Eurohoops, carries a contract naturally affected by reported intentions of the Catalonia giant to reduce the budget ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Mirotic joined Barcelona in 2019, after logging 359 appearances in the NBA between the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Orleans Pelicans. Prior to the NBA run, he played for Barca’s archrival Real Madrid as a promising youngster building up his career.
In his ninth EuroLeague campaign, tallying 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks helped his side qualify for the Final Four. However, the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius settled for fourth place in Kaunas.
At the domestic level, he averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per contest over 28 appearances in Spain’s Liga Endesa. Barcelona currently leads the best-of-five Semifinals series opposite Unicaja 2-1 with a clinching opportunity coming up in Malaga tomorrow, Tuesday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net