EuroLeague forward/center Nicolo Melli has agreed to a two-year, $8 million free-agent deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, his agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, tells ESPN.
Melli, 28, was the EuroLeague Finals' top scorer for Fenerbahce in Turkey last season. He has turned down NBA offers in the past, but he decided to make the leap from Europe after two seasons in the Turkish League.
Melli, 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, joins a Pelicans roster that offers the opportunity for frontcourt minutes.
After turning professional in 2007, the Italian big man has played in Italy, Germany and Turkey.