By Alex Madrid / info@eurohoops.net
Every year it is more common for some of the best EuroLeague players to make the jump to the NBA, even in the middle of the season. However, this also works in the opposite way, as there are also many players who are looking for a more important role, even a protagonist, in Europe.
Below, Eurohoops presents 10 NBA players – in no particular order – who could realistically consider coming to the EuroLeague this summer in search of that spot.
Iffe Lundberg
Nationality: Danish
Age: 27
Last NBA team: Phoenix Suns
2021-22 NBA stats: 3.2 points (37.5% in T3), 1.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 11 minutes
Euroleague experience: 39 matches with CSKA
After the start of the war in Ukraine and the suspension of the Russian teams in the Euroleague, Iffe Lundberg fled CSKA to make a leap that he could have tried last summer.
The first Danish to play in the NBA will surely have opportunities to continue his career in the league and he is expected to play in the summer league for the Suns. And if he decides to return to Europe, it will be to sign for a team that can offer him a role and a contract that suits him.
Ryan Arcidiacono
Nationality: USA/Italian
Age: 28
Last NBA team: New York Knicks
2021-22 NBA stats: 1.6 points (44.4% in T3), 0.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 7.6 minutes
Experience in the Euroleague: No
During his time in college basketball, Ryan Arcidiacono stood out as a promising player. After winning the NCAA championship, and despite going undrafted in 2016, he was able to gain important minutes in the league. However, at 28 years old, he has not yet been able to establish himself in the NBA.
In 2017 he was close to landing in Italy after signing with Juvecaserta. However, the team was not accepted into the first division due to financial problems. This could be the definitive moment for him to bet on European basketball and thus be able to redirect his career.
Gorgui Dieng
Nationality: Senegalese
Age: 32
Last NBA team: Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 NBA stats: 3.5 points (42.6% in T3), 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 8.4 minutes
Euroleague experience: No
Five years ago, Gorgui Dieng signed the contract of his life: he would receive $64M over the next four seasons. He was living the best moment of his career, but he did not know how to live up to expectations.
Since then, he has been losing ground in the teams in which he has played. However, with his physique and his good hand, he is a player who could easily find a place in the EuroLeague.
Isaac Bonga
Nationality: Germany
Age: 22
Last NBA Team: Toronto Raptors
2021-22 NBA Stats: 0.8 points (25.0% in T3), 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals in 4.6 minutes
Euroleague experience: No
The last season we saw Isaac Bonga in Europe was 2017-18. After that campaign, he signed up for the NBA Draft, where he was selected with the 39th pick.
With the Lakers, he had little prominence, but we could see his potential more often in the 2019-20 season, his first with the Washington Wizards. But let’s face it, the situation for Bonga is complicated and he will hardly find a place in an NBA rotation. In Europe, he could really live up to his potential.
Matt Thomas
Nationality: USA
Age: 27 years old
Last NBA team: Chicago Bulls
2021-22 NBA stats: 4.0 points (38.5% in T3), 1.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 11.5 minutes
Experience in the Euroleague: No, 23 EuroCup games with Valencia Basket
Since spending a couple of seasons in the Liga Endesa (Obradoiro and Valencia Basket) the name of Matt Thomas is a staple in the summer transfers market.
The absence of pure shooters in the market makes him a highly valued shooting guard. After playing in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Chicago Bulls, will a EuroLeague club be the next step in his career?