By Nikos Varlas/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas has set its sights on Polish swingman Mateusz Ponitka, considering him the ideal player to replace Royce O’ Neale, who left for the Utah Jazz after exercising the related option included in his contract.
Ponitka, 23, has already signed with Basketball Champions League reigning champions Iberostar Tenerife but there’s a buyout clause in his contract that allows Zalgiris or any other EuroLeague club to acquire him.
So currently the tricky part for the Lithuanian club is managing to pay the sum that will release the 2016 EuroCup Rising Star and make him a Zalgiris player.
Ponitka finished the season with Pinar Karsiyaka in Turkey. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.