Morrison let out of Serbian deal, may join NBA free-agent class

The revival of Adam Morrison took another turn on Tuesday, when he was allowed out of his contract with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia to pursue the sort of promotion that seemed so unlikely just months ago.

According to a source close to Morrison -- who had no opt-out clause and was being paid approximately $350,000 on a one-year deal that began in October -- was let out as a "good faith" gesture. After averaging 15.5 points per game and showing some of the fiery style for which he was known in college, Morrison received significant interest from some Euroleague teams and is even confident he could return to the NBA.

With the NBA players and owners reaching a tentative agreement to end the lockout, Morrison, the former Gonzaga star and No. 3 pick of the 2006 draft, could become part of the free agency class that is expected to be available starting Dec. 9. Morrison's Euroleague opportunities, the source said, include "a couple teams in Spain and one in Italy."

Unless a Euroleague team gives Morrison an offer he simply can't refuse, he plans on returning to the United States on Wednesday. Morrison indicated via e-mail that it would be his preference to play closer to his homeland, saying his preference was to play "hopefully somewhere in the Western Hemisphere."

Morrison's last NBA stop came with Washington in the early part of the 2010-11 campaign, but he was cut in November and considered retirement before resurfacing in Serbia the following summer.