The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent center Darko Milicic. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed. We’ll post contract info tonight.
“We are pleased to have Darko Milicic back on our ballclub,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “I believe Darko re-discovered his love for basketball last season with us, due to his relationship with Coach Rambis and the opportunity for playing time. Darko is now old enough and mature enough to harness his special basketball skills and we expect big things from him in the coming years.”
Milicic, 25, appeared in 24 games for the Timberwolves this past season after being traded to Minnesota from New York on Feb.17 in exchange for Brian Cardinal. In those 24 games (18 starts), the 7-0 center from Serbia averaged 8.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.38 blocks. Milicic established season highs with 16 points and 12 rebounds March 19 at the Lakers, and dished out a career-high five assists April 9 vs. the Lakers. He contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high four blocks in a Wolves’ win over Sacramento on March 31.
The second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Detroit, Milicic has played seven seasons in the NBA and owns career averages of 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. His best statistical season came in 2006-07 when he averaged 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 80 games with Orlando.
