Filip Petrusev is working to return to the NBA after a difficult and unstable year. The Serbian center was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 50th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. After a brief and limited run in the league, he’s now trying to make a comeback.
Before entering the draft, Petrusev played at Gonzaga University for two seasons from 2018 to 2020. During that time, he averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds in 65 games. After college, he went back to Europe to begin his professional career, and the Sixers kept him overseas to continue developing.
In 2023, Petrusev joined the Sixers for the Summer League and preseason. It looked like he might finally get a chance to play in the NBA. However, that opportunity quickly disappeared when the Sixers traded him as part of the deal that sent James Harden and PJ Tucker to the Los Angeles Clippers in October 2023.
Petrusev didn’t stay in Los Angeles long. Two days after the trade, the Clippers sent him to the Sacramento Kings. He played in only one game for the Kings before being waived. He also appeared in two games for the Sixers earlier that season, bringing his total NBA experience to just three games.
After being waived, Petrusev signed with Olympiacos in Greece, a well-known EuroLeague team. Midway through the season, Olympiacos loaned him to Crvena Zvezda, a top Serbian club where Petrusev had played before. He spent the rest of the season there, competing in the EuroLeague and the Serbian league.
At the same time, Petrusev continued playing for the Serbian national team. On August 10, 2024, he played in the bronze medal game at the Paris Summer Olympics. Serbia faced Germany at the Accor Arena in Paris. Petrusev went up against Johannes Thiemann, Germany’s power forward. Serbia did not win the bronze, but Petrusev gained valuable international experience.
Now 25 years old, Petrusev says he wants to return to the NBA “as soon as possible.” He believes it’s better to go back early rather than wait until later in his career. His contracts in Europe have included NBA-out clauses, showing he planned for a return from the beginning.
Petrusev is known for his size and shooting ability. He’s 6-foot-11 and has worked to develop into a big man who can stretch the floor and keep up with modern NBA offenses. He has also improved his defense and overall awareness through his time in Europe and with the Serbian national team.
The 76ers may not bring Petrusev back, but the timing may be right for Petrusev. The Sixers finished the 2024–25 regular season with the fifth-worst record in the league. Paul George missed several games due to injuries, and rookie Jared McCain was sidelined after a strong start. Joel Embiid, the team’s MVP center, played in only 19 games.
Because of their poor finish, the Sixers have a 10.5% chance of getting the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Duke’s Cooper Flagg recently declared for the draft and is expected to be the top pick. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks as a freshman while shooting 38.5% from three-point range.
Another center option for the Sixers is Maryland’s Derik Queen. Queen helped lead his team to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament and hit a buzzer-beater in one of their key games. Some analysts believe Queen could eventually replace Embiid if the Sixers decide to plan for the future at center.
In this situation, Petrusev may fit as a low-cost, experienced option. He has already played in the NBA, spent time in the G League, competed in the EuroLeague, and represented his country at the Olympics. He knows how to play at a high level and still has time to grow.
