MELBOURNE, Australia — Veteran center Andrew Bogut says he won't return to the NBA this season in order to remain in Australia with his pregnant wife.
After being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers in January, it was expected the 33-year-old free agent would join a contending team for a playoff push.
But Bogut said Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) he will stay in Australia and focus on returning in the 2018-19 season. He tweeted that his wife's pregnancy with their second child has been deemed "high-risk" and she's not allowed to travel.
"I thank those teams that reached out and inquired," he wrote. "This was a decision which has been up in the air for the past few months, but ultimately, I decided being home and around as much as possible during this period was the best thing for my family. I am still working out and staying in shape, and will be ready for training camp for the 2018-19 season."
Bogut played 23 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 1.6 points and 3.4 rebounds. He was acquired by Cleveland in the second half of last season, but he fractured his left leg less than a minute into his debut with the Cavaliers.
Bogut was the No. 1 overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2005 draft and played seven years with the Bucks.