'Possibility' Former Brooklyn Nets First-Round Pick Returns to NBA

Four years later, a familiar face may be coming back to America.

Nov 27, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Dzanan Musa (13) reacts to a play against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks has a near-perfect track record when finding talent in the back half of the first round. Jarrett Allen, Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas either were or still are major contributors, and were snagged with no earlier than the 22nd overall selection.

If not including hits that Brooklyn drafted and traded away, the lone miss appears to be 2018's Dzanan Musa. The 6-foot-9 Bosnian guard never found his footing with the Nets, only appearing in 49 games, and was ultimately dealt to the Detroit Pistons in 2020. He was waived and began a career overseas where he has progressed immensely. Last season with Real Madrid, Musa tallied 13.5 points per game while shooting over 41% from deep. Theese are stark contrasts from his numbers with the Nets.

With newfound momentum, Musa has begun contract negotiations with Real Madrid without ruling out a return to the NBA.

“At the start, I had a ‘two plus one’ contract. They had the option to extend or terminate the contract, and now they have extended it. Now the negotiations for a new contract begin, so this doesn’t mean I have other plans," he said via the Sarajevo Times. "Of course, there is a possibility of returning to the United States (U.S.), but I don’t want to talk about that. I am very happy at Real and I hope that if a good offer comes, I will stay at Real for many years."

The Spanish League Finals MVP fizzled out in Brooklyn originally, but with more experience now under his belt, a second stint with the franchise may be beneficial for both sides if Musa is unable to strike a deal with Real Madrid.

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