By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Mike James still has a contract with CSKA Moscow until 2023, but his future may be in the NBA. As it was confirmed by his agents, James is leaving Europe for the States “for an opportunity to be in the NBA this season”.
James, who is suspended by CSKA Moscow, until recently was the favorite to win the MVP title of the EuroLeague season. However, a series of incidents and a recent run-in with his coach Dimitris Itoudis led to him being inactive.
Despite his contract, it’s obvious that CSKA will accommodate him in order to find an NBA deal and the player is expected to be released. CSKA president Andrey Vatutin said to TASS news agency that “James has the chance to be in one of the NBA clubs this season, or, perhaps, to find a team in the association next year. With this scenario, it will be easier for us to come to a mutually beneficial agreement”.
James averaged 20.2 ppg in 55 EuroLeague games with CSKA, while in the NBA as a member of the Phoenix Suns back in the 2017-18 season he averaged 10.4 ppg.