By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
While the 2023 NBA free-agency negotiation period hasn’t even started yet and it’s unclear what kind of unexpected developments and changes the offseason will eventually bring, there are already some players that won’t exactly surprise us if they move to Europe for 2023-24.
Some of the free agents on the list may eventually find the NBA contract they are looking for but others may get a big, lucrative opportunity from a European side to continue their career. Here are 10 players that may be balling in Europe soon.
Juancho Hernangomez (Spain)
If Juancho Hernangomez decides that he’s done with the NBA then he becomes one of the hottest commodities for EuroLeague clubs. He’s 27 years old and has all the potential to become a star in the competition. He already turned down Real Madrid once after he was waived by the Toronto Raptors in February but may not decline a second offer by either 2023 EuroLeague champions or another organization of such a big status.
Hernangomez was entering the 2022-23 season with the Raptors following a stunning finish with the Spanish national team in the 2022 EuroBasket with 27 points in the win over France in the Final but he struggled to produce, having a mere 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.9 minutes. Of course, these numbers mean little in regards to how he well can perform in EuroLeague.
Goran Dragic (Slovenia)
Goran Dragic says that he wishes to see himself retiring with the Miami Heat jersey. And why not? He could possibly sign with the club to provide veteran guidance on and off court and, ultimately, hang his shoes as a member of the team he played the best basketball of his career with.
If such a thing doesn’t happen though and if some other NBA franchise doesn’t pick him off the free-agent pool, there’s always the European option waiting for him. While 37 years old, the Slovenian star can deliver leadership and plenty of smart basketball for any team.
He spent last season with the Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 6.4 points in 51 games with the former and 5.4 points in seven games with the latter.
Raul Neto (Brazil)
Could this be the year? Every summer Raul Neto is rumored to be on the agenda of EuroLeague clubs (especially Spanish ones) but he finds contracts in the NBA that keep him on the other side of the pond.
This can change now. 31-year-old Neto comes off the second-least productive season in his NBA career after averaging just 3.3 points and 1.6 assists in 10.5 minutes with the Cleveland Cavaliers and it’s questionable if he gets an NBA deal this summer. On the other hand, Europe may have in store both a lucrative deal and potentially a major role on a championship-aspiring team for the Brazilian player since there’s also a shortage of quality point guards around.
Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine)
Svi Mykhailiuk is 26 years old and averaged double figures (a career-high 10.6 points, along with 2.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds) through 19 games in his most recent stint with the Charlotte Hornets. Based on these, it’s likely that he can find another NBA contract to extend his stay in the league.
If he doesn’t, there’ll probably be a no small amount of European teams ready and willing to welcome him with open arms. He can emerge as a major scoring weapon in Europe with plenty of room to become a top-tier player.