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Detroit Pistons 2003-2006
Milicic was infamously chosen 2nd overall by Detroit in the 2003 Draft - ahead of Carmelo
Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, of course.
While the Pistons would win the NBA title in his rookie season (and Milicic would become the youngest player
to appear in the NBA Finals), Darko struggled to get into Larry Brown's and later, Flip Saunders' rotation, starting
just 3 games in 2 1/2 years. The Pistons eventually cut their losses and sent Milicic to Orlando along with Carlos
Arroyo for Kalvin Cato and a 2007 1st Round Pick (which became Rodney Stuckey) in Febraury 2006.
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Orlando Magic 2006-2007
Milicic finally saw significant NBA action in Orlando. He averaged just under 21 minutes in 30 games with
the Magic following the trade in 2006 and played in a career high 80 games in 2006-07 season, clocking 24 minutes per contest.
His 8.0 point average was a career high entering the 2010-11 campaign. In the team’s 1st round playoff match-up against
Detroit, Darko averaged 12.3 points, but the Magic were swept in 4 games. Following the season, Milicic was allowed to become
an unrestricted free agent.
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Memphis Grizzlies 2007-2009
The former lottery pick was quickly snapped up by Memphis, who inked him to a 3-year, $21 million contract
in July. After starting 64 of 70 games during the 2007-08 season and averaging 7.2 points and a career high 6.1 rebounds,
Darko was benched in favor of Marc Gasol in 2008-09. He made only 15 starts, but shot a career best .515 in 61 games. On June
25, 2009, the Serbian was shipped to the Knicks for Quentin Richardson and cash considerations.
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New York Knicks 2009-2010
Darko was almost nonexistent in the Big Apple. He appeared in only 8 games, played 71 minutes and scored
a mere 16 points before he was rescued by Minnesota in February. The Knicks received forward Brian Cardinal in the trade,
waived him two days later and he resigned with Minnesota on March 23. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2003 Draft was given
away.
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Minnesota Timberwolves 2010-
The lowly T-wolves were a perfect fit for Milicic. Playing out his contract, he originally planned on returning
to Europe for the 2010-11 season, likely ending his disappointing career. Instead, Darko was given a fresh start for a team
that sorely needed young talent. He averaged 8.3 points during the final 24 games of the 2009-10 campaign and showed enough
for the Wolves to reward him with a 4-year, $20 million contract in July. Still just 25-years-old, Milicic is currently the
Wolves starting center and is establishing career highs in most categories.
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