By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
It’s not exactly a secret that after the drastic changes in Toronto “the amnesty provision likely will be used on either Linas Kleiza or Andrea Bargnani”, as Toronto Star reported. Bargnani already left the team via the trade that send him to the Knicks, so that leaves Kleiza as the only candidate for amnesty.
The Lithuanian forward used the option in his contract in order to extend it for next season, an expected move since his contract pays him 4,6 million dollars annually. If Toronto decides to amnesty him, then he will be fully compensated and a free agent. According to Eurohoops sources, the player and his representatives are preparing for this possibility and Kleiza himself doesn’t exclude a return to Europe.
After all he was the top Euroleague scorer back in the 2009-10 season as a member of Olympiacos and he is among the key player of Lithuanian national team. However the real question is if there is a market capable of paying him. Only two teams at this point, CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce/ Ulker have enough money to lure him. On the other hand, if he decides to sign a short term deal with less money and practically be paid by Toronto, then the plot thickens…