EuroLeague: The Top 10 free agents in the point guard position

By Utkan Şahin and John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

The EuroLeague offseason is up and running. Players might be concentrated on domestic league competition, but looking ahead to the next campaign of Europe’s premier competition Eurohoops compiled a list with the Top 10 point guards who will be free agents this summer.

The offseason and the movements of star players from one team to another provide excitement to the fans. Every EuroLeague side will attempt to sign the best possible players and have a bunch of point guards to choose from. Eurohoops starts the presentation of the Top free agents from the floor generals.

Milos Teodosic isn’t included in our list since he finished the season in the NBA but he will be on the agenda of various clubs. At least five more playmakers able to change the fate of any team will be available.

Note: Players with options in their contract are also included. Here’s the full FA list. 

Stefan Markovic (Khimki Moscow Region)

Age / Nationality: 31 / Serbia
EuroLeague Career: 4 seasons – 91 games
2018-19 Stats: 27 games, 6.1 points, 4.4 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 7.9 PIR
Best Performance: 14 points, 6 assists versus KIROLBET Baskonia (Round 16)

Khimki Moscow Region certainly presented its challenges for Stefan Markovic. Playing alongside Alexey Shved didn’t allow the Serbian guard to impose his will on the court, but he did showcase his creative skills with 4.4 dimes per EuroLeague game, enough for 11th place in the 2018-19 list of players with the most assists.

Markovic, 31, is gaining on the time for a decision on his next step. He was rumored to leave Khimki even before his contract ended. In the next coming months he will indeed have the opportunity to set a new direction for his career.

Stefan Jovic (FC Bayern Munich)

Age / Nationality: 28 / Serbia
EuroLeague Career: 4 seasons – 92 games
2018-19 Stats: 23 games, 8.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 10.2 PIR
Best Performance: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists versus Fenerbahce Beko (Round 21)

Stefan Jovic is the player with the most assists in a single EuroLeague match and will be a free agent this summer. Reuniting with Dejan Radonjic in FC Bayern Munich led him to the best EuroLeague season of his career.

His 8.3 points per contest combined with 4.6 dimes per game and his ability to control the pace of the game makes him a valuable asset for any EuroLeague side. His court-vision provides a significant advantage for his team in spite of his poor shooting percentages.

Bayern would certainly like to keep him, but nobody can be certain on what the future holds for the Serbian playmaker. The final decision on his free agency will be his to make.

Janis Strelnieks (Olympiacos)

Age / Nationality: 29 / Latvia
EuroLeague Career: 5 seasons – 110 games
2018-19 Stats: 20 games, 8.8 points, 2 assists, 1.9 rebounds, 8.3 PIR
Best Performance: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists versus Panathinaikos OPAP (Round 16)

Upon a disastrous season for Olympiacos, Janis Strelnieks is set to become a free agent. His 2018-19 campaign ended prematurely due to injury, but he was certainly effective on the court during the first twenty games of the season.

The Reds were the fourth worst offensive team in EuroLeague, but the 29-year-old Latvian ranked third among the guards with an attack rate of 127.8. It’s safe to estimate that his team would probably make the Playoffs if he remained healthy.

Strelnieks joined Olympiacos a couple of years ago with the EuroLeague Championship on his mind but didn’t find what he was looking for. His future is now uncertain, but he can be useful for any side with aspirations to go all the way during the 2019-20 campaign.

Norris Cole (Buducnost VOLI)

Age / Nationality: 30 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 43 games
2018-19 Stats: 15 games, 16.6 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 15.2 PIR
Best Performance: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists versus FC Bayern Munich (Round 15)

With a pair of NBA Championships to his name, Norris Cole began his European career in 2017. He’s not the traditional European playmaker, he’s not very sharing in the offense, he dominates the ball and isn’t very effective in defense, but is an asset for any club searching for the explosive guard.

After debuting in the EuroLeague with Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 2017-18 campaign, the 30-year-old point guard signed with Sidigas Avellino and returned to EuroLeague signing with Buducnost VOLI midway through the 2018-19 season.

He scored in double-digits in 14 out of 15 games going over 15 points in eight occasions. His 52.9% from two-point range and 38% from three-point range showcased his ability to make buckets even against the top competition European basketball has to offer.

Toney Douglas (Darussafaka Tekfen)

Age / Nationality: 33 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 34 games
2018-19 Stats: 20 games, 14.5 points, 4 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 13 PIR
Best Performance: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists versus FC Bayern Munich (Round 29)

After a long NBA career, Toney Douglas challenged himself arriving in Europe. He wasn’t very successful at first with Anadolu Efes but improved massively this season with Darussafaka Tekfen with 14.5 points per contest in Europe’s premier competition.

Having the opportunity to control the ball extensively, the experienced playmaker left a positive mark on his EuroLeague career. He joined the Turkish club midway through the 2018-19 season and added a more competitive nature to his team displaying his ability to contribute for an organized side.

Nate Wolters (Zalgiris Kaunas) *

Age / Nationality: 28 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 55 games
2018-19 Stats: 28 games, 11.2 points, 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 11.6 PIR
Best Performance: 18 points, 4 assists versus Fenerbahce Beko (Playoffs Game 4)

Zalgiris Kaunas needed a floor general last summer and added Nate Wolters. The 28-year-old American didn’t seem to be the best possible solution for the demanding point guard position at first but drove through criticism with solid performances for the Lithuanian side.

He quickly adjusted bringing his creative abilities to the table and setting the pace Sarunas Jasikevicius demanded. His predecessors swapped their effective seasons with Zalgiris inking contracts with teams with a larger budget and this can be the case for Wolters as well.

* His contract with Zalgiris Kaunas includes an option for the 2019-20 season.

Thomas Heurtel (FC Barcelona Lassa)

Age / Nationality: 30 / France
EuroLeague Career: 8 seasons – 211 games
2018-19 Stats: 35 games, 10.4 points, 4.8 assists, 1.9 rebounds, 11.1 PIR
Best Performance: 17 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds versus Real Madrid (Round 24)

Another point guard in search for a contract is Thomas Heurtel. The player with the most helpers in EuroLeague history after Vassilis Spanoulis and Dimitris Diamantidis has a lot to offer and is coming off a Playoffs run with FC Barcelona Lassa, but will face uncertainty this summer.

Barca retaining him must not be ruled out, but the Spanish team and any other side interested is aware of his track record. He’s surely among the top EuroLeague players in his position but has failed to connect himself with extended runs in Europe’s premier competition.

Kostas Sloukas (Fenerbahce Beko) *

Age / Nationality: 29 / Greece
EuroLeague Career: 9 seasons – 221 games
2018-19 Stats: 33 games, 11.8 points, 4.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 15.2 PIR
Best Performance: 22 points, 11 assists versus FC Barcelona Lassa (Round 26)

It’s been four years since Kostas Sloukas joined Fenerbahce Beko. He previously played alongside Vassilis Spanoulis at Olympiacos and properly used his valuable lessons during his successful tenure with Fener. His fourth season was his best with 11.8 points per EuroLeague contest with 58% inside the rainbow and 44.9% from three-point range. He dished 4.8 assists per match as well.

His statistical improvement was combined with him taking larger responsibilities in clutch moments and overcoming with ease the criticism on his effectiveness in crucial moments. He now has an All-EuroLeague First team honor to showcase to his potential suitors.

Sloukas has already been linked with various EuroLeague teams. However, Fenerbahce won’t give up on its chances to retain him. It really isn’t easy to find a player with such experience at his age.

* His contract with Fenerbahce Beko includes an option for the 2019-20 season.

Sergio Rodriguez (CSKA Moscow) *

Age / Nationality: 32 / Spain
EuroLeague Career: 9 seasons – 234 games
2018-19 Stats: 35 games, 10.2 points, 4.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds, 9.1 PIR
Best Performance: 23 points, 4 assists versus Real Madrid (Final Four Semifinal)

No need for introductions when it comes to Sergio Rodriguez. He’s certainly among the most successful players in EuroLeague’s modern era.

Until a few weeks ago, everyone believed this season would be his last with CSKA Moscow. However, the EuroLeague Championship might end up changing everything.

Rodriguez was signed by the Russian club after Milos Teodosic left for the NBA. El Chacho has since displayed on the court why he was chosen aiding CSKA whenever it got into trouble.

It remains to be seen if Rodriguez will remain a squad member of his current team. If he becomes a free agent, every powerful side will surely want to add an experienced and successful playmaker.

* His contract with CSKA Moscow includes an option for the 2019-20 season.

Shane Larkin (Anadolu Efes)

Age / Nationality: 26 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 68 games
2018-19 Stats: 35 games, 12.5 points, 3.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 14 PIR
Best Performance: 30 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds versus Fenerbahce Beko (Final Four Semifinal)

Space Jam would probably be appropriate in order to connect Shane Larkin’s 2018-19 campaign with a specific movie. His signing was met with great expectations and he later emulated Michael Jordan in the movie. Midway through the season he was among the biggest disappointments but changed everything starting in the game against FC Barcelona Lassa.

Pierre Oriola then mentioned that his team allowed Larkin to look like Michael Jordan. His similar performances in the Playoffs versus Barcelona didn’t surprise many fans, but were remarkable with 29.5 points per game. He carried his impressive shooting percentages into the Final Four. It’s surely been a long time since we have seen such offensive domination at this level.

Larkin is expected to be among the hot names of the summer market. However, Efes acted quickly offering a new contract to its big star. If the deal is completed and Larkin doesn’t return to the NBA, everyone will definitely have the opportunity to enjoy more Jordan-like showings next year.

Other EuroLeague point guards set to become free agents:

*: Players from teams that didn’t play in EuroLeague this past season but will next season.

**: Players from teams that won’t play in EuroLeague next season.