Darko Milicic could go back to Europe. (Getty Images)

Yahoo Sports reports that Darko Milicic is considering leaving the Celtics and the NBA to return home to Serbia to be with his mother, who is ill. The decision is also on the table due to frustrations over playing time. Milicic has completely fallen out of the rotation after being touted as a potential difference-maker based on his preseason performance. 

The family consideration obviously weighs heaviest. And if that's the decision, it's for the best. It's a shame that Milicic, who has stuck with the NBA in the face of undaunted criticism and repetitive struggles, could never get his game to a place to maybe stick, should he decide to depart. 

The Celtics have struggled defensively and on the glass this season, as efforts to continue their small-ball ways have met with disaster when Kevin Garnett leaves the floor. 

Milicic has appeared in just one game this season for five minutes, logging a single rebound, two turnovers and one foul with one missed field goal attempt. 

Early in camp, Doc Rivers said that Milicic needed to stop "living in the past."