The agent for Vujanic told The Post yesterday the Yugoslavian point-guard stud has agreed to a two-year deal with a prestigious European club and will not play for the Knicks next season at the very least.
Though saying Vujanic will ultimately have a long, prosperous career with the Knicks, his proclamation that Vujanic has a deal in place is dismal news for the lottery-bound franchise, which would've preferred to have him on the roster next season.
"Yes, it is true," agent Goran Ristanovic said in an exclusive overseas telephone interview. "Milos will play two years on a famous European club. We know he can play in the NBA but Milos is thinking, and I am too, his basketball career goes step-by-step. First step is Europe, next step New York."
Ristanovic said Vujanic will have an out after the first year. Vujanic, 23 next season, will make more than $1 million, according to Ristanovic. Vujanic, an esteemed shooter/penetrator averaging 25 ppg, is now finishing up his season with his Yugoslavian club team, Partizann, making $100,000. The European club plans to buy out his Partizann contract, Ristanovic said.
"After one year, maybe he will come to New York," Ristanovic said. "Maybe one year, maybe two years. If the player is real good, it doesn't matter. We want to say to New York fans and the Knicks that when he's 24 or 25, when he has some money in his pocket, he will come to the NBA. And I know he will play for New York. And I know he will play in the NBA very long - 10 years. He has great feeling about the Knicks."
Ristanovic said he will not release the name of the team until early June when Vujanic finishes the season. There is speculation it could be Real Madrid, the franchise with Europe's deepest pockets looking for a shake up.
Asked repeatedly if Vujanic could still change his mind, Ristanovic said no.