By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The first month of the summer hasn’t yet ended, however already some big Euroleague names have signed their new contracts. Shawn James stayed in Maccabi Tel Aviv, Andres Nocioni did the same in Vitoria with Laboral Kutxa and Vitaly Fridzon left Khimki for CSKA Moscow, but there are still plenty of players and plenty of teams with needs. So, here is our top ten of free agents with the MVP being on the headline.
The MVP of the last Euroleague Final Four is the hottest name in the market and every big team in Europe is already making a run to get him, unofficially at this point. After getting 2,4 million euros per season from Olympiacos, his rumored asking price is 3 million per season. Only CSKA Moscow seems able to pay this kind of money, so expect a quite long serial.
He was considered a lock to remain in Panathinaikos until CSKA Moscow and 2,5 million euros per season entered the picture. The Greens announced that they are ending the negotiations with him, without a result. Still, he hasn’t sign yet with the Russians, so he is a free agent.
3. Kyle Hines
One more Euroleague champions who is a free agent and he is asking for a big time raise. He was paid 375.000 US dollars in Olympiacos and he has already a two million dollars for two seasons offer by the Reds on the table. Still, it’s rumored that CSKA is paying him more.
4. Bobby Brown
If you can’t get Spanoulis, he is probably the best alternative. The cornerstone of this year’s Siena can get at least a million euros contract and certainly there is a market for him in Spain, Russia and Turkey with Unics Kazan already demostrating their interest.
Despite a bad EA7 Milano season, Bourouris is still a more than capable center as his Euroleague stats prove. He has already two offers on the table by Real Madrid and Galatasaray and also Barcelona seems to be interested in him.
He had one of his best seasons as the leader of Khimki which can’t keep him due to financial reasons. Many rumors surround his destination at this point, however as we have reported CSKA Moscow is also closely monitoring his case (and that may also mean Teodosic is on the exit door, but that’s an other story).
7. Acie Law
The overlooked hero of Olympiacos is also a free agent and at this point it’s more than possible that he will not stay in Greece. Spanoulis overshadowed him, but he was a leader and the best player of Olympiacos in the first half of the Euroleague final.
8. Gani Lawal
He was the player that stole the show in the Italian finals and Roma simply doesn’t have the money to keep him. He is considered the best alternative to the Hines and Lasme duo, so don’t be surprised if you see him ending up in Greece. Note that at this point his salary is more than affordable for elite Euroleague teams.
He has an Italian passport and he is the best shooter available in the market. His name at this point is not mention a lot in the market, but after his season in Sassari everyone took notes and expect the former teammate of Dwyane Wade to take the step to the next level.
He should have been at least number 2 in the list, only behind Spanoulis. The reason that he has been pushed down to number 10 is not his numbers this season, but the fact that he is virtually out of the market and will remain in Panathinaikos no matter what.
Honorable mentions: Bostjan Nachbar, Devin Smith (close to remaining in Maccabi Tel Aviv), Antonis Fotsis (close to returning to Panathinaikos), Mirza Begic, Joe Ingles, Jonas Maciulis, Sasha Vujacic, Gal Mekel