Jazz Had ‘Major’ Interest In Nikola Mirotic Before Deciding To Play In Europe

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA free agency rumors are rolling in as the period will open for teams to officially be able to contact free agents at 4 p.m. MT on Sunday.

According to New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Utah Jazz had major interest in signing former Milwaukee Bucks forward Nikola Mirotic.

The Jazz were hoping to sign him to a three-year deal worth around $45 million.

Utah had major interest in signing Nikola Mirotic to a three-year deal in the $45 million range, league sources say, but Mirotic was apparently determined to make a total change and return to @EuroLeague life

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2019

Mirotic decided to return to Europe and will sign with Barcelona.

He began his career in 2014 when he was drafted as the 23rd overall pick by the Houston Rockets, who traded him to Chicago. Mirotic spent three and a half seasons with the Bulls before being traded to New Orleans and played 62 games before being shipped to Milwaukee, where he played 14 games.

The stretch four averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from downtown.

Utah is in need of a stretch four, who can space the floor and knock down shots consistently while allowing Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell attack the rim and Rudy Gobert control the paint.

Mirotic was determined to make a total change and return to Europe rather than making more money in the NBA.