By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A peculiar offseason heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic still holds its fair share of solid additions across the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague field. Eurohoops picks out the Top 10 official moves of the summer so far.
The premature ending of the 2019-20 season forced the 18 clubs of Europe’s premier club competition into a unique situation. Various free agents are still available, check out our Top 10, but other players made noise by switching clubs.
Below the Top 10 EuroLeague moves of the summer supplemented by honorable mentions.
Nikola Milutinov
Current team: CSKA Moscow
Former team: Olympiacos
Contract expires: 2023
2019/20 stats: 10.3 points, 8,2 rebounds, 1.2 assists
During his five years with Olympiacos, Nikola Milutinov evolved from a promising prospect to a dominating EuroLeague center with impressive stats proving his case. CSKA Moscow will no longer feature Kyle Hines but still looks strong inside with the Serbian center on board.
Tornike Shengelia
Current team: CSKA Moscow
Former team: KIROLBET Baskonia
Contract expires: 2023
2019/20 stats: 15.9 points, 2.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds
As a freshly-crowned ACB champion, Tornike Shengelia completed his move from KIROLBET Baskonia to CSKA Moscow. The former leader of the Basque club is set for a new challenge as another newcomer in the Dimitris Itoudis squad.
Malcolm Delaney
Current team: AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano
Former team: FC Barcelona
Contract expires: 2022
2019/20 stats: 10.2 points, 4.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds
Malcolm Delaney returned to EuroLeague last summer but did not complete his 2019-20 run with FC Barcelona missing out on the ACB season-ending tournament but was quick to secure a contract with another participant of Europe’s premier club competition, Olimpia Milano. Scroll down for more additions to Ettore Messina’s squad.
Kyle Hines
Current team: AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano
Previous team: CSKA Moscow
Contract expires: 2022
2019/20 stats: 8.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Olimpia Milano makes our list again through Kyle Hines. After seven seasons with CSKA Moscow, the four-time EuroLeague champion opts for a move to Italy. Definitively another solid option for Messina.
Luigi Datome
Current team: AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano
Former team: Fenerbahce Beko
Contract expires: 2023
2019/20 stats: 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists
As if Delaney and Hines were not enough, another newcomer in the form of Luigi Datome further strengthens Olimpia Milano’s bid for a successful and long 2020-21 run. Seven years after departing, Gigi is back in Italy packed with experience and titles.
Nick Calathes
Current team: FC Barcelona
Former team: Panathinaikos OPAP
Contract expires: 2023
2019/20 stats: 13.3 points, 9.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds
Nick Calathes left Panathinaikos OPAP to join his former teammate and newly-appointed FC Barcelona head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius in Spain. A promising pairing adding on the potential for Barca to enjoy a lengthy European campaign.
Derrick Williams
Current team: Valencia
Former team: Fenerbahce Beko
Contract expires: 2021
2019/20 stats: 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists
From FC Bayern Munich to Fenerbahce Beko to Valencia, the EuroLeague path for Derrick Williams. The ex-NBA player, 2nd pick of the 2011 draft, has become a regular in the top European level and is expected to fit nicely into the Oranges.