By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Philadelphia 76ers stash and EuroLeague champion with Anadolu Efes is ready to take the leap to the NBA, while he’s currently competing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Petrusev made his intentions to join the Sixers clear, via an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I signed a one-year deal so I can be available. Then if not, I’ll just sign one more year in Europe. So I will try to be available after every year,” he said.
While Petrusev wishes to play in the NBA, the Sixers would have to make room on their roster for him, as according to the NBA regulations, a team must have a maximum of 15 players on standard contracts, plus a pair of two-way players and Philadelphia currently has 15 players on standard contracts. When James Harden officially signs a two-year deal with a player option for the second season, that number will rise to 16.
Regardless of restrictions, Petrusev is determined. “I think every player wants to come as soon as possible,” he added. “I wanted to come last year, if you asked me. Yeah, for sure, whenever the time is, I’ll be ready.”
In the meantime, he played his first game in the 2022 NBA Summer League, posting two points, four rebounds, and one steal across eight minutes in Philadelphia’s 97-77 loss to the Toronto Raptors Saturday. Sixers development coach and head coach at the summer league Dwayne Jones commented on his performance: “I thought Filip was OK. Coming from overseas, he got here like four days ago. So I think he’s still trying to get adjusted to that,” he said. “Overall, he contributed solidly. He was able to show what he can. Even last year [at summer league], he was able to protect the rim. I think he showed that”.
Petrusev is moving on from Efes and his name has been recently linked with Panathinaikos as a possible destination if he doesn’t end up signing a deal with the Sixers for next season.