Dante Exum slams door shut on NBL move after inking short-term deal with Barcelona

Dante Exum has slammed the door shut on any potential NBL move in the near future as the star inked a short-term deal with a European giant.

Dante Exum has quashed any further speculation about a return to the NBL as the guard signed a three-month deal with Barcelona.

Exum, who is a part-owner of South East Melbourne Phoenix, had been without a club since he was let go by the Houston Rockets and was linked with a move back to Australia so he could get some vital minutes under his belt after a solid showing for the Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics.

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The 26-year-old instead opted to take his talents to Catalonia and will suit up for Barcelona until February 28.

Exum was brought to the Spanish side to cover for point guard Nick Calathes, with the star sidelined until the new year.

Should he impress in Spain, it could lead to the Melburnian returning to the NBA before the rosters are confirmed for the final time before the playoffs.

After he was selected by the Utah Jazz with the fifth pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Exum’s career hasn’t quite panned out as he would have hoped.

Having played every match in his rookie season, a series of major injuries forced the star to the sidelines for lengthy periods of time.

However, Exum showed why he was still one of Australia’s best with impressive performances for the nation at the Tokyo Games.

He averaged nine points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists across the six games he played for the Boomers as Brian Goorjian’s team went on to claim a bronze medal.

Exum’s move to Barcelona means he is now the fourth Australian to play for the team, alongside David Andersen, Joe Ingles and Nathan Jawai.