By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Exchange Milan is nearing a deal to keep Kyle Hines and is targeting Brandon Davies to further strengthen its frontline, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Davies, 30, becoming a free agent during the offseason has surfaced as the main target for the Italian giant. The former BYU standout, carrying the experience of 78 NBA games between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, moved his talents to Europe in 2015 and since 2019 has been playing for FC Barcelona. In the fifth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season of his career and third at the Catalonia powerhouse, he has put up 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest.
Hines, 35, missed the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time in ten years. The brilliant run was halted as his current side was eliminated by defending champion Anadolu Efes in four games. Following the exit at the Playoffs stage, the four-time EuroLeague champion is expected to ink a contract extension. In 2020, he signed a two-year contract to join the team based in Milan.
Another soon-to-be free agent after joining the Italian team in 2020, Luigi Datome is likely to be offered a new contract as well.
Ettore Messina’s side was recently linked to Kevin Pangos as well. The Canadian playmaker is expected to be the main ballhandler for the 2022-23 season.
As for the 2021-22 campaign now focusing on the domestic level, Olimpia Milano carrying a 22-5 record sits second in Italy’s LBA Serie A behind Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s 25-3 W-L tally with three regular-season fixtures remaining before the Playoffs.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net