T-Wolves' Saunders: Bjelica can make immediate impact
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Minneapolis is a long way from Belgrade. However, 27-year-old Serbian rookie Nemanja Bjelica shouldn't take long to adjust to his new home.
As the Minnesota Timberwolves introduced one of their newest acquisitions Tuesday, head coach Flip Saunders spoke highly of the 6-foot-10 stretch forward, claiming he envisioned Bjelica contributing to the team right out of the gate.
Flip says one of the things that most attracted the Wolves to Nemanja is his ability to come in right away and make an impact.
— MN Timberwolves (@MNTimberwolves) July 15, 2015
Saunders said Bjelica was likely ready to play in the NBA a couple of years ago, as he boasts an impressive skillset - including the ability to do certain things his new teammates may not be capable of at present.
Bjelica is coming off a very successful 2014-15 season in which he was named Euroleague MVP for his contributions to his former team, Fenerbahce Ulker, in the Turkish Basketball League. He was also named to the 2014-15 All-Euroleague First Team.
As a member of the Serbian national team, he won a silver medal at last year's FIBA World Cup.
The No. 35 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Bjelica will travel to Las Vegas on Tuesday in order to meet and cheer on his teammates who are playing in summer league. Bjelica himself will not participate in the games, however.
Bjelica and the Timberwolves agreed to a three-year, $11.7 million deal earlier this month.