By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
With Giorgos Bartzokas as the new coach, Barcelona will change, despite in theory having a full roster. According to Eurohoops sources not only the back court, but also the front line will be refreshed.
Justin Doellman, who was until recently in the exit door, has been informed that he will stay with the team and an extension of his contract is prepared. The same may happen with Joey Dorsey. Barcelona has the ability to extend his current contract until the end of July and Bartzokas will have to take this decision. On the contrary it’s seems likely that both Shane Lawal and Samardo Samuels despite having a contract for next season will be released.
With Tomic and Doellman on board, a player who can help the team both in the power forward and the center position is wanted and the prime candidate seems to be Anthony Randolph. Despite the reports about him finalizing a deal with Real Madrid, Barcelona is also interested on him. Bartzokas coached him in Lokomotiv Kuban and Real Madrid after keeping Trey Thompkins and Gustavo Ayon, doesn’t have a non EU player spot left open in the roster for Randolph. UPDATE: For the same reason Dorsey, Randolph and Doellman can’t co-exist in the same roster, so until something changes either Dorsey or Randolph will be on the team.
Of course Barcelona needs also to add two players in the back court. Darius Adams is rumored for longtime to be a target, but he is not the first option of Bartzokas. On the contrary Jayson Granger who is on the exit door of Anadolu Efes, fits perfectly the plan of the Greek coach.