By Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
As the days pass, the available options for coaches are getting limited as more and more players are renewing their contracts with the teams they were playing for or are reaching agreements with new ones.
After presenting the top free agents on the market but also the best bargains, Eurohoops created a new list with players that are looking for a new contract and whose most important asset is their long-range shooting.
In essence, they are choices that can punish the rival defense if they are open outside the 6.75 line, which makes them an important weapon for every coach.
Matt Lojeski – 9.9 points, 37-for-88 in three-point field goals (42%)
Matt Lojeski’s name could not be missing from a conversation regarding the best shooters in European basketball. In recent years, the American guard/forward has been one of the biggest… killers in the EuroLeague, with his career best being around 43%, while in the season that ended he was 42% with 37-for-88 in three-point field goals overall.
His injury shortly before the completion of the regular season did not allow him to help Olympiacos in the most crucial part of the season, but his talent is a given. Armed with his rare ability from outside the 6.75 line, Lojeski is looking for the next stop in his career and become an important solution outside of the perimeter.
Erick Green – 9.9 points, 48-for-120 in three-point field goals (40%)
Austin Daye – 8.7 points, 33-for-73 in three-point field goals (45.2%)
Austin Daye’s contract with Galatasaray expired a few days ago and the player is high on the lists of several EuroLeague teams.
Besides, we’re talking about a power forward who is 2.11 meters tall and shoots with the excellent 45.2% from the perimeter (33-for-73 in three-point field goals), while he can put the ball on the floor and create plays for himself, moving very fast.
Galatasaray’s mediocre course didn’t allow the American to be as consistent as he would have liked but there were nights when he proved what he’s capable of and then some. His 24 points (4-for-7 in three-point field goals) against Crvena Zvezda, his 20 points (4-for-5 in three-point field goals) against Bamberg, and the 20 points (4-for-6 in three-point field goals) against Real Madrid were his most productive performances.
Brandon Paul – 8.6 points, 39-for-94 in three-point field goals (41.5%)
Brandon Paul signed with Anadolu Efes midway through last season and, right away, proved that he can provide important solutions in scoring from the perimeter.
He played in 23 EuroLeague games and attempted 94 three-pointers – a bit more than 4 per game – which is proof of the great freedom that Velimir Perasovic gave him. He can shoot after a dribble or coming off a screen with the same ease, while his shooting technique is excellent and that makes him an equally efficient spot shooter.
The American can be even more dangerous if he gets into a rhythm, the most characteristic examples being the games against Barcelona (25 points, 6-for-12 in three-point field goals) and Darussafaka (21 points, 5-for-9 in three-point field goals).
Luke Harangody – 3.8 points, 17-for-37 in three-point field goals (45.9%)
Matt Janning – 11.3 points, 28-for-84 in three-point field goals (33.3%)
Matt Janning is the only player on this specific list who didn’t play in the EuroLeague last season, but in the Eurocup in the colors of Lokomotiv Kuban.
The 33.3% with which he shot from outside the 6.75 line in no way reflects the American’s true potential, as he can “murder” any opponent. He can execute after a dribble, without balance, coming off a good screen or receiving a teammate’s assist.
His performances in the season that just ended were pretty good and now it remains to be seen whether there will be a EuroLeague team that will trust him. In the past, the 29-year-old guard has played in the colors of Siena, Efes, but also Loko, with a career average in the competition of 7.8 points and 39.6% in three-point field goals.