By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
One of the most complete power forwards in Europe, Derrick Brown, will be a free agent this summer, as his contract with Lokomotiv Kuban will end. Many clubs have tried to get him last summer, despite the fact that he was under contract, with CSKA Moscow having the most money in order to lure him.
The financial demands of Lokomotiv, however, for a possible buy out couldn’t be matched and the same happened recently, when two other teams were trying to sign the player for the remainder of the season.
The first team that came knocking was Khimki. Brown was considered the best possible replacement for Joffrey Lauvergne who left the team in order to sign with the Denver Nuggets. The second team was Euroleague contender Olympiacos.
Both clubs were willing to cover the current contract of Brown until the end of the season (150.000 $ per month). Still, despite the fact that in four months the player will be a free agent, Lokomotiv asked 500.000 $ in order to release him. This buy out proves that in fact Lokomotiv wasn’t eager to let him go. After all the Russian club is a contender both in Eurocup and in VTB United League.
There was also a demand from the player to have an extension of his contract for the 2015-16 season with his possible new team which would also include an NBA opt out clause for this summer. As a result both Olympiacos and Khimki decided not to continue their push to get him and despite the fact that there’s a week left for the Euroleague transfers deadline to end, the Reds are not expected to make an other offer.
Derrick Brown will end his season in Lokomotiv Kuban and then he will negotiate as a free agent. After all, according to Eurohoops sources, not only European powerhouses are interested on him, but at least two NBA teams are following closely his case.