Kings release Vasiljevic rights

The Sydney Kings have announced they have released their rights to the re-signing of sharpshooting guard DJ Vasiljevic, which opens the door for the two-time championship winner to potentially make a sensational return to the NBL with the Adelaide 36ers.

Vasiljevic departed the Kings at the conclusion of the NBL23 season in order to explore opportunities to play in either Europe and the NBA, and subsequently signed on with the Washington Wizards at the NBA Summer League.

He then signed an Exhibit-10 training deal with the Wizards, but was subsequently waived.

“We are disappointed with how this has been handled and another NBL team’s role in the process,” Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said.

“We originally amended the contract in good faith and completed our roster with the understanding DJ would play internationally this season.

“Having him return to our roster at the expense of one our current players was not in our best interests.

“We have the utmost confidence in the team we have built and the success we will have with our contracted players.”

In their statement, the Kings had also said there was a “clear expectation” Vasiljevic would spend the season with Washington’s G-League affiliate – the Capital City Go-Go – and expressed “surprise” at their former guard’s desire to return to the NBL this season.

Vasiljevic has been heavily linked with signing for the Adelaide 36ers in recent weeks, following the club’s mutual release of import Jamaal Franklin.