{"id":239411,"date":"2026-04-20T03:19:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/moving-in-different-directions-nbl-heavyweights-confirm-split-as-key-star-hits-open-market\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T03:19:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:19:00","slug":"moving-in-different-directions-nbl-heavyweights-confirm-split-as-key-star-hits-open-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/moving-in-different-directions-nbl-heavyweights-confirm-split-as-key-star-hits-open-market\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Moving in different directions\u2019: NBL heavyweights confirm split as key star hits open market"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Adelaide 36ers and star guard Dejan Vasiljevic have officially parted ways, with the club confirming the end of their three-year partnership as Vasiljevic enters free agency as one of the most prominent names on the market this off-season.<\/p>\n

Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream the best of the NBA Playoffs. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

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It follows reporting from ESPN<\/i> last week that both sides were moving towards a mutual release, as Adelaide looks to reshape its roster ahead of the 2026\u201327 season. That has now been confirmed, with both parties heading in different directions.<\/p>\n

Vasiljevic played 91 games for the 36ers, averaging 15.0 points per game while knocking down 239 three-pointers at 35.2%. His time at the club included several standout performances, including a career-equal 10 triples in a 32-point game last season.<\/p>\n

Former champions re-sign defensive star as two-time Most Improved winner eyes sunshine state return \u2014 LIVE<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Adelaide 36ers General Manager of Basketball Operations Matt Weston thanked Vasiljevic for his contribution.<\/p>\n

\u201cDJ came to our club at a time when we needed experience and leadership, and he has been really valuable in that space,\u201d Weston said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast season he was asked to play a different role and had some important moments, however as we discussed with him our club\u2019s vision for NBL27 and beyond, it became apparent that we were moving in different directions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful for everything DJ has brought to the club, and we wish him and his partner Paigan well with their next chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n

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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 17: Dejan Vasiljevic of the 36ers reacts during game three in the NBL Playoff Series between Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on March 17, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vasiljevic has opened up on his departure from the Adelaide 36ers, saying while he was \u201cdesperately\u201d chasing a championship for the city, he ultimately needed to prioritise the next stage of his playing career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI genuinely enjoyed my time at the Adelaide 36ers. I made a lot of friends and desperately wanted to win for the city and the state of South Australia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to leave that behind, but basketball careers are short and I need to give myself the best chance to make the most of mine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m extremely grateful for the way my partner and I have been welcomed and embraced by people in Adelaide, and we\u2019ll take a lot of good memories and strong friendships with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vasiljevic exits the 36ers with several standout moments, most notably during the NBL finals series, where he scored 27 points against the South East Melbourne Phoenix to help push Adelaide into the championship series against the Sydney Kings.<\/p>\n

He also delivered in Game 4, finishing with 19 points in a crucial win that forced a deciding Game 5.<\/p>\n

While his tenure in Adelaide comes to a close, Vasiljevic leaves as a proven big-game performer, with multiple teams now expected to chase the two-time champion in free agency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Adelaide 36ers and star guard Dejan Vasiljevic have officially parted ways, with the club confirming the end of their three-year partnership as Vasiljevic enters free agency as one of the most prominent names on the market this off-season. Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream the best of the NBA Playoffs. | […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":239412,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[156],"class_list":{"0":"post-239411","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239411\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}