Darko Considering Leaving Celtics

Report: Milicic contemplating leaving C's

By Greg Payne | ESPNBoston.com

Celtics reserve center Darko Milicic reportedly is leaning toward leaving the team for the remainder of the season and returning to Europe due to a family matter, according to a report from Yahoo! Sports.

Milicic did not travel with the Celtics to Detroit over the weekend, and according to the Yahoo! report, he's considering a return to Serbia to be with his ill mother, and also is frustrated with the lack of a defined role for him with Boston.

After performing well during the preseason, Milicic quickly fell out of coach Doc Rivers' rotation, appearing in only one of Boston's first 11 games.

Milicic, 27, was taken with the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons and has never lived up to his lofty draft position. Now in his 10th season, Milicic already has played for six NBA clubs -- Detroit, Orlando, Memphis, New York, Minnesota and Boston -- and it's unclear what a return to Europe would mean for his NBA future.

Milicic was considering staying in Europe before the start of the current season, entertaining offers from several top clubs, including Real Madrid, before ultimately signing with the Celtics for the veteran's minimum late in September.

For his career, Milicic has averaged 6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.

112288

The guy is a complete bust and it's a roster spot he is taking away from another player who can play. I hope he leaves, he showed nothing and you know Danny will be searching for another big...perhaps Grotat.

112288

Yes Gyso, you may be right that he is not healthy to give a good effort and a fair shot. Perhaps give him a year off to unwind and give him a try next year unless the Celtics were being kind saying he was injured rather saying he sucks!

Also, yes it is a shame that is mother is very ill. I guess it will be a wait and see by Celtics but as a team we have to move on at some point.

112288