Darko Milicic told the Serbian website MVP.rs (translation via HoopsHype) that he doesn't envision playing again in the NBA. Milicic left the Celtics in November to take care of his mother, who was ill. The veteran center was reportedly upset with his playing time in Boston, where he saw action in just one game, for five minutes, over the first few weeks of the season. Milicic also told MVP.rs that he has not signed a deal with Red Star, a Serbian team.
Regardless of whether he returns to the NBA, Milicic will be known as one of the all-time draft busts. The Pistons took him second overall in 2003, ahead of future stars like Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Milicic never saw significant playing time in Detroit, but he showed himself as a serviceable NBA center following a trade to the Magic in the middle of his third season. He started the majority of the games for the Grizzlies in 2007/08 and the Timberwolves in 2010/11, but Minnesota wound up using the amnesty clause to get rid of him last summer, with two years left on his contract. Milicic was on a minimum-salary pact with the Celtics when he left the team.
Milicic played parts of 10 seasons in the NBA, with averages of 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He succeeded financially, making more than $52MM over the course of his career, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
And the NBA doesn’t want you back, Darko.