Dejan Vasiljevic to make Adelaide 36ers debut amidst NBL signing controversy with Sydney Kings

The NBL's most talked-about man is set to make his debut for his new team this round, with Dejan Vasiljevic cleared to play his first game for the Adelaide 36ers against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. 

It's been a whirlwind few days for Vasiljevic and the 36ers, who were linked in rumours as far back as October 10, with the player officially signed by the team on October 17. 

This was a controversial signing - Vasiljevic was initially contracted to play this and next season with the Sydney Kings, who adjusted his contract to include an 'NBA out' which he exercised, signing an exhibition 10 contract with the Washington Wizards.

However, once the Australian was waived by Washington, he opted to return to Australia rather than take up a G-League position offered, choosing to sign with Adelaide despite Sydney still having first refusal of his rights. 

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The Kings, who by then had already completed their roster, chose to allow Vasiljevic to join Adelaide but expressed their disappointment in how the process played out.

Sydney Kings, Dejan Vasiljevic trade barbs over Adelaide 36ers

With Vasiljevic returning to the NBL rather than signing with another international team, the Sydney Kings found themselves in an awkward situation, facing either cutting a signed player to make way for their former sharpshooter or allowing him to re-enter the league in a different jersey. 

While they chose the latter, it was not without complaint, with CEO Chris Pongrass saying the league needed to address how it handles these situations. 

"While DJ played a role in the club's recent success, it became clear that to make such a significant change to our roster by having him return at the expense of one of our current rostered players was not in our best interests," Pongrass said.

"We have the utmost confidence in the team we have built, and the success we will have with our contracted players.

"We are disappointed with how this has been handled, and another NBL team's role in this process. We originally amended the contract in good faith and completed our roster with the understanding that DJ would play internationally this season.

"While there is no perfect system, this circumstance highlights the inequity NBL clubs have in terms of protecting their interests as opposed to other leagues in the world."

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Co-owner and former NBA champion Andrew Bogut added via X (formerly Twitter) that Vasiljevic had requested a release to pursue a spot in the NBA, not in the local league. 

"We granted [Vasiljevic] a release after he told us he wanted to “chase his NBA dream”, not his NBL dream with another club," wrote Bogut.

"We then were told last week we had to decide within a day or two if we wanted him as we still had his NBL rights. (He wanted to play last weekend).

"We did our [due diligence] and decided to release him late Monday night. There is “nothing more to it” than that. It was not a day or two decision as if we elected to keep him we would have to waive someone on our roster. 

"We wish him the best of luck and will always remember him as a Sydney Kings NBL Champion."

Vasiljevic bristled at this notion, and returned fire during an interview, accusing his former team of framing him as a 'villain' during the process. 

DJ Vasiljevic had this to say earlier today in his introductory press conference ahead of his first game tomorrow night.

🎥 via @Adelaide36ers pic.twitter.com/trbFQ4Atos

— NBL (@NBL) October 18, 2023

"They made me look like a villain," Vasiljevic told reporters.

"They made Adelaide look like the villain, honestly I am going to walk away from it and be the bigger man.

"I took my time and wanted to make the right decision and Adelaide just came on board.

"This gives me a greater chance to get noticed for the Olympics, so that's why I decided to return.

"I hope so, I think I'm right there, I just need to prove myself a little bit more and we'll just see what happens."

Dejan Vasiljevic 2022/23 NBL stats 

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