The actual reason Nikola Mirotic declined $45M contract offer from Jazz / News - Basketnews.com

Back in the summer of 2019, Nikola Mirotic stunned the European basketball world by declining a 3-year $45M contract with the Utah Jazz to sign with FC Barcelona and play in the EuroLeague.

Nikola Mirotic

Team:FC BarcelonaPosition:PF, SFAge:30Height:208 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Podgorica, MontenegroProfileNewsStatistics

Let's take a look at the actual reason why Mirotic chose EuroLeague over the NBA.

Niko, as he's usually called, was a well-regarded role player in the NBA. A prolific scorer known for his ability to stretch the court, Mirotic averaged almost 17 points per game in his last season with the Chicago Bulls in 2018.

After two years with New Orleans Pelicans, the forward signed with title-contending Milwaukee Bucks in the following season. Struggling with injuries, Mirotic's averages went down to just under 12 points per game.

Despite a dip in productivity, the player was still in demand in the league. A deal was almost struck with the Jazz in the $45M-$50M range, but Mirotic changed his mind at the last minute at the airport while waiting for his flight to Utah.

The reason? Family. "Why am I not with my family?" Mirotic asked himself at the airport. "Don't do it Niko. If you go, you will sign." He then swiftly called his agent and instructed him to apologize and cancel the deal.

Mirotic felt that he started to pull away from his family. "My family was my first priority. I wanted my children to grow up here in Europe," he said later in an interview. That was all the Montenegrin needed.

Immediately after returning to the home continent, Mirotic started to wreak havoc. During his first season in Europe, the forward averaged 19 points and 6.9 rebounds for 22.5 PIR per game for the Spanish club.

The Montenegrin's performance went down a little after a coaching change at the club. After appointing Sarunas Jasikevicius as the head coach of the team, Mirotic's role changed, but he remained his efficient self, averaging 15.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for 19.5 PIR.

A lackluster performance in the EuroLeague playoffs cost Mirotic the MVP title, an award he was almost guaranteed to secure after the regular season. However, the Montenegrin forward is having an even better year this season, being the frontrunner to the award again.

We shall see whether Barca's superstar can finally capture the MVP trophy this season and lead the Catalan team to the very top of the Euroleague.

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