By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes has a temporary contract with Donnie McGrath and from the start it was evident that an other player would replace him at the end of the regular season. In the meantime talented prospect Cedi Osman had emerged as a solid contributor and as a result his right ankle injury is a big blow for the team. As the team announced the player will miss at least 10-15 days of action.
This is a long time period with Top16 starting with the new year and the club decided to add one more quality back court quality player as soons as possible. According to Eurohoops sources the big target of the team is Laboral Kutxa’s Thomas Heurtel and it’s already decided by Efes that the club is going to spend the money needed in order to get him from Spain and boost the quality of its roster.
Laboral’s president, Josean Quereheta, decided to sell the player two months ago, however no imminent deal was reached and the French guard stayed in Vitoria. Now this are different. Heurtel’s contract expires this summer, he has already denied the extension offer by Laboral Kutxa and if the team doesn’t sell him now, they will lose him for free and they will also have to pay his relatively hefty contract until the end of the season. Of course, losing Heurtel will change the dynamics in Laboral Kutxa’s roster, despite the fact that some other player will be added in order to replace him. Still, the financial situation of the club almost dictates the sell of the French guard.
Anadolu Efes has already made its move and the Turks are willing to get the deal done in order to sign Heurtel at least until the summer of 2017. On the contrary, Fenerbahce/ Ulker, at least until now, doesn’t seem willing to hunt the player and the most possible scenario is for Heurtel to sign with Anadolu Efes, which will have a more than full back court after the return of Cedi Osman.