Bogut’s future decided

ANDREW Bogut will not be making an NBL return with one of the two Melbourne teams this season.

The NBA championship winner is set to announce his playing future today after months of uncertainty.

Since parting ways with Sydney Kings in late May, Bogut ( pictured) has been spending time with family, in his home town of Melbourne, as he weighs up returning to the NBL or NBA as a lead- up to next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

It appears Bogut, 36, has decided on his next career move as he looks to prepare for one last shot at an Olympic medal in Tokyo next year.

Both Melbourne teams were rumoured to have been in the mix for the veteran centre’s signature because he owns property in the city.

But a potential signing was shut down by United and the Phoenix yesterday. Kings chairman and owner Paul Smith refused to place pressure on Bogut returning to the club despite the 2015 NBA champion having a 10 per cent ownership share in the franchise.

“Don’t @ me. Bogues is his own person, wherever Andrew chooses to play they will be lucky to have him, as were the Sydney Kings,” Smith tweeted.

It comes as Boomers coach Brian Goorjian wants Bogut to play the 2021 Olympics but concedes it is up to the champion big man if he still has the gas left in the tank.

“Andrew has tremendous pride, and he doesn’t want to play if he feels that physically he is under the bar,” Goorjian said. “It isn’t a conditioning thing, it is just that your body moves to a certain point and only you as the player understands the level of competition and if his body can handle it.

“The only person that can come to terms on that is him.”