Mavericks free agent forward Nicolò Melli has officially signed a three-year contract with Italian club Olimpia Milano, the team announced.
Melli, 30, is 6-foot-9 was acquired from the Mavs from the Pelicans in the J.J. Redick trade in March, serving in a bit role in Dallas. He averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 23 games after the trade. He spent the better part of two full seasons in New Orleans.
“Nicolò has always been at the center of our thoughts,” Olimpia Milano GM Christos Stavropoulos said in a statement. “He is the right player, in his prime, a player we were looking for as the emblem of the team player on top of having unquestionable skills. To be able to bring him back, after six years and a great career abroad, is reason for us to be extremely proud. This is a happy day for all of us.”
Melli would have been a restricted free agent with the Mavs had he stayed in the NBA. Should he eventually opt top return, the Mavs will have to issue a qualifying offer to retain his rights. He is expected to play for Italy in the Tokyo Olympics at the end of the month.
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