Atlanta Hawks

Report: Hawks big man Antic to return to play in Europe

Published Jun. 29, 2015 8:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Atlanta Hawks big man Pero Antic will return to play basketball overseas after two NBA seasons, according to multiple reports.

Antic, who was a restricted free agent for Atlanta, has a deal in place with Fenerbahce in the Turkish Basketball League. The deal is expected to be formalized in the coming days.

The 6-foot-11 Antic averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in his two seasons under coach Mike Budenholzer. Though criticized often, particularly for questionable shot selection during shooting slumps, Antic had a supporter in the reigning NBA Coach of the Year.

"He does so many other things well," Budenholzer said of the veteran center during the season. "I do like it when he shoots it and it goes in. That would be preferable. I do think, (with) some people, there is too much emphasis put on him shooting -- making, not making. When you look at his impact on the game and all kinds of different statistical things, he is a huge positive. We tell him to keep shooting. We believe in him and he'll make shots."

The departure of Antic leaves the Hawks with an additional question mark this offseason. Starters DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap are set to become unrestricted free agents, while the bench is in need of an upgrade.

The franchise acquired wing Tim Hardaway Jr. from the New York Knicks during a draft-day trade, but with Millsap, a reported priority, not guaranteed to return, Antic's return to Europe leaves the Hawks with Al Horford and Mike Muscala as the only viable big men on the roster entering free agency.