We are fast approaching summer. Sun, beach, sea and…basketmarket, the topic that always keeps everyone very active in the hunt for the latest news. In this recap we will talk about the future of Grazulis but not only that, there are some real gems for you!
Andrejs Grazulis-Trento: it’s over
After the many chatter that has taken place this season regarding the future of Andrejs Grazuliswe have the first certainty: the Latvian winger will not continue his relationship with Trent. Sidelined since March 30th due to a knee problem which forced him to undergo surgery so as not to compromise the summer that will see him as a protagonist with the Latvia shirt at the Olympics, the Dolomite club has announced the resolution of the relationship with the player.
This announcement opens up many scenarios for Grazulis, who closed his season in Trento at 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds with 54% from two points and 39% from beyond the arc, his best season in his career after the parenthesis of Tortona in A2.
Daultin Hommes official in Trento
Trent he wasted no time and, having greeted Andrejs Grazulis, he made it official Daulton Hommes, a player seen in Italy with the Vanoli Cremona shirt, who was on Reggio Emilia’s radar. For the former Baskonia, comes the return to the field after a season entirely missed due to an injury that struck him last year in Vitoria. For now the agreement will only be valid until the end of the Trentino post-season, but who knows, he might be the one after Grazulis next season too.
In Trento Hommes reunites with coach Paolo Galbiati, with whom he worked during his Cremonese experience, a season that launched him and made him known to the European basketball world. We’ll see if going back to work with his mentor will bring Hommes back to his pre-injury levels.
Colbey Ross-Tortona: evidence of renewal?
On the occasion of the interview granted to La Stampa-Alessandria, Colbey Ross took stock of his season at Tortona, also talking about his future. The MVP of the 2022-2023 regular season, who arrived in Piedmont on 21 December 2023 after a less than brilliant first part of the season in Buducnost, where he played 10 games with 10.3 points and 4.3 assists on average, the return to Italy has seen flashes of his player who thrilled with the Varese shirt last season.
Now, after helping Tortona secure a place in the playoffs, the point guard is open to renewal: “I like Tortona a lot, it has everything I need and it has given me the opportunity to be appreciated for everything it offers. I would like to stay here in the future”. Ross’ words are an unmistakable signal and an opening towards his stay in Tortona.
Efes unleashed: Smits closed, Poirier almost
Efes is increasingly a protagonist in this very first part of the market. After the renewals of coach Mijatovic and the pharaonic one of Shane Larkin, the management of the Turkish club is working to bring the team back to the highest levels, after two subpar seasons.
According to what he reports BasketballNewsthe Istanbul club has already concluded negotiations with Rolands Smits, Latvian winger of Zalgiris Kaunas. To secure the player, Efes beat off competition from Monaco. The contract between Smits and Zalgiris is valid until 2026, but includes an exit clause for this summer. Clause which will be exercised and which will bring a to Lithuanian coffers buyout. The agreement between Smits and Efes includes a two-year contract with an option for a third season.
It is not enough: Encendo reports a strong interest of the Turks for Vincent Poirier, long player at Real Madrid. Efes seems to want to take advantage of the opportunity, considering that Madrid is concentrating all its energies on renewing the agreement with Walter Tavares. The Istanbul management proposed a two-year contract to the player’s entourage, who received a renewal offer from Real Madrid. A proposal, however, which would not include an increase in salary.
