Milutinov worked the previous two summers in Texas and had contact with his future team, he knew in 2017 that he had to stay for one more year at Olympiacos. Because after Khem Birch's departure he would become the centerpiece, as well as because he felt he was ready to dominate the EuroLeague, which he had not yet managed to distinguish. In addition to all, he wanted to spend three years from the draft day so he could get the right to negotiate with the Spurs on a zero basis without being bound by the rookie's standard earnings. Dario Saric, for example, moved to the NBA two years after his election to Draft and got a small deal ($ 7,267,680 for three years) in front of Bogdan Bogdanovic's three years after his own choice, he asked and got by the Kings three-year contract of $ 27,000,000.
Given that it's been three years since the Spurs chose him at the end of the first round, Milutinov may ask for whatever he wants. This, of course, means that the agreement with the San Antonio team will be more difficult, without changing the common desire of both sides for an agreement.
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From Milutinov's side, now, things are simple. The Serbian center will chase a deal like Bogdan Bogdanovic signed with Sacramento Kings ($ 27,000,000 for three years), which the Spurs can give him with the full mid-level exception that will reach $ 8.6 million in the first year of a three-year or four-year agreement. The San Antonio team may use this exception once a year, even if it is above the salary cap limit. It is difficult, unlikely, for the Serb to accept the $ 3.4 million bi-annual exception in his first year at the NBA, and the truth is he has no reason to play for that money.