NBA Free Agency and Rumours roundup: 5th July - Kawhi Leonard, Lillard to Lakers?

#2 Nemanja Bjelica signs with the Philadelphia 76ers

Houston Rockets v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Four

Nemanja Bjelica, a restricted free agent this summer after spending 3 seasons with the Timberwolves, has signed a one-year, $4.4 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Bjelica was drafted by the Wizards in 2010 with the 35th overall pick, but continued playing in Europe as he had for 3 years before. He made his NBA debut in 2015 after winning Euroleague MVP honours for the previous season with Fenerbahce.

Bjelica has only played the role of a backup thus far in the NBA, and projects to be a direct replacement for Ersan Ilyasova on the Sixers' roster. Standing at 6'10", Bjelica's natural position projects to be a power forward - his 41.5% shooting from downtown, however, might allow Brett Brown to field him as a stretch 5 in certain lineups.

He remains one of the European players yet to actualize their talents to the full within the NBA, and at 30 years of age, this might be his best chance to land a big payday with solid performances through this season.