Istanbul-based basketball giants Fenerbahçe Beko's forward Nicolo Melli is on the verge of a move to NBA, an NBA insider said on social media on Sunday.
"EuroLeague power forward Nicolo Melli is finalizing a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. Melli, 28, was the top scorer in the EuroLeague Finals for Fenerbahçe last season," Adrian Wojnarowski said in a Twitter post on Sunday to reveal the Italian player's next club.
The two-year contract with the Pelicans would reportedly pay him $8 million.
Regarded as one of the integral players for Fenerbahçe Beko, Melli joined the Istanbul club in 2017 summer to play alongside his fellow citizen Luigi Datome.
In 2018-19 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season, Melli had 30 appearances, where he averaged 7.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assist. He had a 79.1% free throw average as well.
In a two-year spell at Fenerbahçe, Melli won the Turkish Super Lig title in 2018.
