By Melikşah Bayrav/ info@eurohoops.net
At the end of the 2023-24 installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Panathinaikos Aktor crowned champion, the participating teams are already considering numerous options, hoping to strengthen their respective squads on the way to the 2024-25 Regular Season.
Similar to most summers, the free-agent market is expected to cover a significant portion of offseason moves for clubs of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
Eurohoops brings to you the Top 10 Free Agent Point Guards.
NOTE: Players with a +1 year option in their contract are not included in the list.
Mike James – AS Monaco
Age: 33
Last season: 39 games, 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists
On top of our list, the most valuable player of the 2023-24 season, Mike James. After three years with AS Monaco, he is at the peak of his career. His contract expires this summer.
An interesting season for the star of the league. Tremendous showings throughout the Regular Season. He was the main reason his side secured homecourt advantage in the Playoffs. He also became the all-time leading scorer, leapfrogging Vassilis Spanoulis.
James emerged as the favorite for the MVP award and indeed got the nod. At 33, he was named season MVP for the first time in his career.
However, at the bottom end of the campaign, he did not meet expectations, struggling against the effective defense of Fenerbahce Beko in the Playoffs. Aggressive Nick Calathes disrupted his rhythm. And La Roca Team was forced to the wrong end of a crazy best-of-five series.
Still, the headliner of the free-agent market. Undoubtedly, the best scorer in the EuroLeague. If he does not reach an agreement to renew his contract with Monaco, top clubs of the Old Continent will be looking to secure his services.
Keenan Evans – Zalgiris
Age: 27
Last season: 34 games, 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Another setback for Keenan Evans marked his 2023-24 campaign.
Recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, brilliant displays were spread across the Zalgiris fixtures, projecting him as an intriguing free agent. Hurting his left knee and undergoing surgery in late May, he will be sidelined for at least six months.
Before the latest injury, he fell short of leading the Kaunas outfit to the Playoffs, despite playing his best basketball at this level. Attracting the attention of numerous clubs, he was expected to move his talents to Olympiacos. That is no longer the case.
Proving more than capable of bouncing back in style from a serious injury, his determination can be a positive for teams seeking a scoring touch in the free-agent market, heading to the next season.
Shabazz Napier – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
Age: 32
Last season: 16 games, 10.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists
A turbulent year saw Shabazz Napier penning a two-year contract with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet in the summer and returning to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in December.
Following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, he left the team based in Milan. Signing with the Belgrade outfit generated excitement but did not meet expectations en route to an early exit. Reuniting with Olimpia Milan, he displayed his talents but lacked consistency.
Sticking around at the capital of fashion with a new contract is uncertain at this point. As a free agent, he will be on the radar of several EuroLeague teams.
PJ Dozier – Partizan Mozzart Bet
Age: 27
Last season: 33 games, 9.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists
Another American important making our list, PJ Dozier was signed by Partizan Mozzart Bet in August to replace Dante Exum on the roster for legendary head coach Zeljko Obradovic. Far from a simple task.
Visibly struggling to overcome initial difficulties, the South Carolina product found his rhythm, adjusting to the style of play in Europe, before settling in an overall disappointing campaign for the Belgrade outfit. Considering everything, not too bad for a rookie in the EuroLeague.
Carrying a well-rounded game on both ends of the court, his style of play seems attracting for top European clubs. Putting itches aside, normally accompanying newcomers in the Old Continent, the veteran of 136 games played in the NBA can emerge as a solid option in the free-agent market.
Ricky Rubio – FC Barcelona
Age: 33
Last season: 13 games, 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals
Resuming his career and returning to FC Barcelona in February, Ricky Rubio inked a contract for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Consequently, he will become a free agent in the summer.
After 13 years in the NBA and multiple career-threatening injuries, nobody knew what to expect. Under limited playing time, he showed some glimpses but was generally far from the youngster making plenty of noise with Barca from 2009 to 2011.
Averaging 17 minutes per contest, Rubio seemed to struggle in the competitive environment of the EuroLeague. In the Playoffs series against Olympiacos, he went from ten points in Game 1 to nine points in the remaining four contests en route to the Catalonia giant being eliminated.
The next step for Rubio is unknown, more than likely to vary from running it back with Barcelona or possibly retiring. We will wait and see.
Sergio Llull – Real Madrid
Age: 36
Last season: 33 games, 7.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists
A future Euroleague Basketball Legend, Sergio Llull is a genuine star of European basketball. A constant for Real Madrid since 2007, he is one of the most influential players in the history of the storied club.
Past his peak at 36, his experience, composure, and trademark three-pointers retain him as an important feature in Los Blancos.
Standing out of the most recent achievements, he became a three-time EuroLeague champion in 2023. His game-winning shot knocked out Olympiacos in the Final.
It is hard to imagine him playing elsewhere at the bottom end of a well-respected career with Madrid. However, he has yet to reach an agreement for a contract extension.
Sergio Rodriguez – Real Madrid
Age: 37
Last season: 32 games, 4.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists
Another lock for a future addition to the Euroleague Basketball Legends, Sergio Rodriguez is heading to free agency.
El Chacho played for Real Madrid from 2010 to 2016, made his way to the NBA for a second time in his career, then went to CSKA and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, before returning to Los Blancos in 2022. He emerged among the key factors in winning the EuroLeague championship in 2022.
Dealing with limited playing time this season, the seasoned floor general helped Madrid advance to the Final Four but fell shy of a back-to-back title.
If he does not stay in the capital of Spain or possibly call it a day, experience, talent, passing abilities, and reading the game, make him an interesting free agent.
Gabriel Iffe Lundberg – Virtus Segafredo Bologna
Age: 29
Last season: 35 games, 9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists
A complicated campaign for Gabriel Iffe Lundberg with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. His second year at the Italian club went from falling out of the lineup to becoming an important player for Luca Banchi.
Returning to Europe after a cup of tea with the Phoenix Suns in 2022, his decision to sign with the Bologna outfit was met with excitement among involved parties.
He seemed on the way to the exit after an uneventful first season, before receiving a boost from the head-coaching change. He sat third among Virtus Bologna scorers in the 2023-24 edition of the EuroLeague, trailing only experienced Tornike Shengelia and Marco Belinelli, despite playing only 19 minutes per game. He was the only player capable of scoring off the dribble.
Considering everything, Lundberg is expected to switch teams as a free agent this summer. Surely, an important option for any offense in the EuroLeague, he will be on the list of top teams.
Paris Lee – LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
Age: 29
Last season: 33 games, 11.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals
From AS Monaco and Panathinaikos. Paris Lee went to an explosive EuroLeague expedition with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
In a poor overall performance by the French club, the Illinois State product stood out among the most consistent players. Boosting his abilities in attacking the rim and ball handling, and being aggressive in defense, he built up his best individual showing in Europe’s premier club continental competition.
He is unlikely to be a leading star for contenders, but as a solid two-way player can be a useful addition to any EuroLeague team.