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.
Like 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 Small Forwards.
Top 10 EuroLeague Free Agent Point Guards
Top 10 EuroLeague Free Agent Shooting Guards
NOTE: Players with a +1 year option in their contract are not included in the list.
Mario Hezonja
Age: 29
Last season: 38 games, 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals
Early in the offseason, plenty of rumors are attached to Mario Hezonja, from staying with Real Madrid to returning to the opposite side of the rivalry and reuniting with FC Barcelona. More teams seem to be in the mix as well.
At the moment, the Croatian star is on an expiring contract and set to become a free agent.
Named in the All-EuroLeague Second Team, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 assists per game over 38 appearances. In performance index rating, the season tally settled at 13.3 per contest.
Will Clyburn
Age: 34
Last season: 25 games, 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Will Clyburn has been vocal about being the best small forward in Europe. It is indeed pretty hard to debate his opinion.
At the end of his contract with Anadolu Efes, an intriguing free agent. Any team picking up the native of Detroit would immediately boost a bid to contend for the EuroLeague championship.
Following a breakout campaign with Darussafaka, he moved his talents to CSKA in 2017. In 2019, he was crowned EuroLeague champion. In 2022, he joined Efes to partner with Shane Larkin.
James Nunnally
Age: 33
Last season: 32 games, 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Another solid small forward in the free-agent market, James Nunnally spent the last two years with Partizan Mozzart Bet, reuniting with legendary play-caller Zeljko Obradovic. Other former EuroLeague teams are Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olimpia Milan, and Fenerbahce.
Beyond his talents on the court, he recently made the news for a violent exchange with Stefan Lazarevic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet. From there, being ruled out of the Playoffs of the AdmiralBet Basketball League of Serbia signaled the end of his stint with Partizan.
At 33, being efficient on both ends of the court makes him an interesting case for top clubs of the EuroLeague.
Nikola Kalinic
Age: 32
Last season: 39 games, 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Among the most experienced and versatile small forwards in the EuroLeague, Nikola Kalinic is also heading to the free-agent pool.
Moving from Crvena Zvezda to FC Barcelona in 2022, he is expected to return to the Belgrade outfit during the offseason.
Lacking consistency, the Serbian forward saw his playing time being limited down the stretch of the 2023-24 season, to the point of being left out of the lineup for the last game of the year.
Jaron Blossomgame
Age: 30
Last season: 39 games, 6.6 points, 3.3 rebounds
Jaron Blossomgame’den maç kazandıran smaç! 🤯
⚔️ @Baskonia 75-77 @ASMonaco_Basket pic.twitter.com/Fu4UeG9nvU
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Türkiye (@EuroLeagueTUR) November 24, 2023
With his future at AS Monaco currently uncertain, Jaron Blossomgame will be considering more options as a free agent.
The Clemson product joined La Roca Team in 2022, following a breakout campaign with ratiopharm Ulm. Generally undervalued, due to his contributions falling shy of the stat sheet, he was a key player for the team coached by Sasa Obradovic, especially with his aggressive defense.
Behind his build, Blossomgame has been effective in guarding any player, across all positions.
Justin Anderson
Age: 30
Last season: 18 games, 6.1 points, 2.2 rebounds
Landing in Valencia with a short-term contract in December, Justin Anderson earned a roster spot for the remainder of the season. Coming in with multiple players on the injury list, he helped the Taronges navigate a complicated situation.
The former Virginia standout started his first overseas experience with Rio Breogan, playing in the Basketball Champions League and Spain’s Liga Endesa. From there to 6.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest over 18 games played in the EuroLeague.
With adjustments underway, Anderson sticking around with Valencia would be a surprise.
Isaac Bonga
Age: 24
Last season: 31 games, 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists
From the NBA to FC Bayern Munich in 2022, Isaac Bonga has been adding to his status as one of the most important players coming out of Germany in recent years. However, he is on an expiring contract.
Overcoming initial struggles, he was elevated to an influential player for the team located in Munich. Adjusting to the defensive plans of head coach Pablo Laso made his case as a key player through large stretches of the 2023-24 season.
At 24, he seems ready to get another chance at the EuroLeague level with Bayern or elsewhere.
Arnas Butkevicius
Age: 31
Last season: 22 games, 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Switching from Rytas to the other side of the rivalry, Arnas Butkevicius signed with Zalgiris in 2022. After resurfacing in the EuroLeague over the last two years, he becomes a free agent.
Limited to 22 appearances in the 2023-24 edition of the EuroLeague by injuries, Butkevicius is looking to bounce back as fast as possible. Considering his showings when healthy and his effective shooting make him a great fit for the style of play in Lithuania and Zalgiris.
It is hard to imagine him playing elsewhere next season. However, many EuroLeague clubs would certainly check him, if he opts to consider more options.