By Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The right programming decides next season’s success to a very large extent and coaches, in collaboration with teams’ managements, have already sat at the table to come up with the best possible plan.
There are many moves and they include, among other things, players’ departures, contract renewals and, of course, signing, all with the aim of raising the level of the team’s roster.
Eurohoops continues the presentation of players on the free market and now it’s the small forwards’ turn…
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Ioannis Papapetrou
Stats: 6.8 points, 3.6 rebounds
Ioannis Papapetrou is one of the most interesting cases of small forwards on the free agent market as he’s just 24 years old, already has considerable experience with 114 games in the EuroLeague and still has great room for improvement.
Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are involved in his courtship since his Greek passport skyrockets his value, but there is also interest from clubs outside of Greece too. The Greek forward has a strong body, is a good defender, puts the ball on the floor and can threaten in the post as well as facing the basket.
In general, Papapetrou can do a lot of things on the court but none of them perfectly, which means that, in order to climb levels, he will have to improve or perfect certain elements (shooting, creation, consistency). Last season he played more than any other (21.57 minutes) and now the time has come for him to sign a better contract with Olympiacos or another club.
Sonny Weems
Stats: 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 13.7 PIR
When it comes to Sonny Weems, there’s no need for any special recommendations. For a number of years, the American has proven his rare offensive skills, which, combined with his athletic qualities, are enough to secure him a position on any EuroLeague team.
After a brief stint in the Chinese league, the 32-year-old forward put on Efes’s jersey and in six games averaged 15.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. Weems can threaten from anywhere on the court and has the ability to score after a dribble, as a spot shooter or with drives to the basket. His fast feet and speed give him an advantage over most 3s in the league and help him maintain a decent presence in defense.
Let’s not forget that the American has 114 games in the EuroLeague under his belt and the mixture of experience and skills provides great solutions for any coach who will have the player at his disposal.
KC Rivers
Stats: 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds
KC Rivers is a charismatic shooter with a great career on the courts of the EuroLeague and 1 European title with Real Madrid. After two years in Panathinaikos, it looks like the collaboration between the two sides is coming to a close and now the player will seek another EuroLeague team to become the next stop in his career.
It should be considered a given that the American will not have trouble finding a deal. His ability from the three-point line, whether after a dribble or as a spot shooter, provided solutions for the Greens more than once, while Rivers can also put the ball on the floor and get all the way to the basket.
His shoulder injury led to an extended period of being out of form in the last part of the season but the experienced guard has proven his worth many times.