Italian set for switch across conferences ahead of next season.
The San Antonio Spurs are set to add to their European contingent with the signing of Chicago Bulls three-point shooter Marco Belinelli.
The Italian is set to sign a two-year deal worth $6m, as the Spurs continue to add to their arsenal of perimeter shooters.
It is understood that the 27-year-old also had interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, but couldn’t resist the temptation of joining the Spurs’ roster which is packed full of international players.
Belinelli averaged 9.6 points a game on 39.5 per cent shooting and 35.7 shooting from three-point range during his solitary season in Chicago, but produced some big moments with a number of game-winning shots during the regular season.
Nevertheless, he is a piece that the Bulls deemed replaceable, but the Spurs believe that he will provide another threat from beyond the arc as they are expected to see Gary Neal depart this summer.
Neal had a break-out Game 3 in the NBA Finals with his 24 points, but was unable to find consistency which would have made him a vital part of the Spurs going forward.
Coach Gregg Popovich has already moved to agree terms with restricted free-agent Thiago Splitter, while 35-year-old Manu Ginobili revealed that he will extend his stay in San Antonio for another two years.
However, the arrival of Belinelli is expected to give them more presence on the perimeter, while also acting as another option for the likes of Tony Parker to kick out to when attacking the basket. Popovich has been praised for adopting a European style game over the years, and the Italian will hope to fit in perfectly.
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