By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The end of the season is near and as summer came, Eurohoops “scans” the market and discovers the ten “hottest” players who have big contracts, but they are in danger of leaving their team or earn next season less money than their current contract provides. Each case is different of course and a lot of things will depend on next season’s plans and the negotiations between the team and the player. Βut the danger about those ten stars exists.
Nenad Krstic (CSKA Moscow)
Last summer he signed a new contract until 2014 earning 2,2 millions euro per season but once again he didn’t fulfilled the expectations. CSKA wants to spend less money the next season and the cuts could begin with the Serbian center.
Milos Teodosic (CSKA Moscow)
CSKA paid almost one million euro buy out to Olympiacos two years ago and 1,9 million per season to the Serbian point guard. But he was an underachiever both in Istanbul and London in the crucial moments and the injury he suffered may force the Russians to negotiate his release.
Jordan Farmar (Efes Anadolu)
His contract is enormous (2,9 mil. dollars per year), the season wasn’t successful for Efes and it is expected that he will say “goodbye” to Istanbul. There is a chance for him to stay only if the new coach wants to build the “new Efes” around him.
David Andersen (Fenerbahce/ Ulker)
Fenerbahce paid 800.000 euros to Siena for Andersen’s buy out and considering what happened this season, the Turkish team has regretted it. His contract is valid for one more year but it’s likely for Fenerbahce to try to reduce his salary or even let him go.
Roko Leni Ukic (Panathinaikos)
There is a clause in the contract of the Croatian play maker that allows Panathinaikos to break it if they give him a small buy out. He has good chances to stay, but with less money than the 800.000 euros he received this season.
Sofoklis Schortsanitis (Panathinaikos)
He began his career in Panthinaikos with some good ganes, but the Greens are not fully satisfied with Sofo a little before the end of the season. His contract has a renewal option for Panathinaikos and probably they will not use it. Or at the end he will accept to earn less money in order to stay.
Nik Caner-Medley (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
His impressive seasons in Spain have nothing to do with what he showed on the court wearing Maccabi’s jersey. The American center receives around one million dollars per year and for sure he ‘ll not spend next season in Tel Aviv.
Esteban Batista (Efes Anadolu)
Isn’t it pity to spend one million euro for someone who played only four games in this season’s Euroleague? The center from Uruguay has such a big contract for one more year and it’s more than expected that he will not wear Efes’ colours for a third season.
Dontaye Draper (Real Madrid)
In the five most crucial games of Real in Euroleague (playoffs and final four) he played only 11:02 minutes (2:20 per game)! The American guard came from Cedevita with a huge contract (one million euro) and Madridistas want to dismiss him.
Milan Macvan (Galatasaray)
He earns more than one million euro and he hasn’t fulfilled the expectations of Galatasaray. The team from Istanbul paid last summer also 250.000 euros to Maccabi as buy out. The future of the Serbian big guy in Galata isn’t so bright, despite the team’s successful season in Turkish league.