By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
July 1st is inching closer. Many NBA players will become free agents and seek a contract with teams of their choosing. However, the thirty NBA sides aren’t the only options for some of them who have already been linked with various EuroLeague clubs. Eurohoops picks out the Top 10 NBA Free Agents with the opportunity to pursue a European campaign for the 2019-20 season.
Milos Teodosic
Age: 32
Nationality: Serbian
NBA team: Los Angeles Clippers
Milos Teodosic left the comfortable environment of CSKA Moscow a couple of seasons ago wanting to take on an NBA career and achieved his goal through the Los Angeles Clippers. He was waived last February and seems ready to return to Europe and EuroLeague for the start of the 2019-20 season.
The 32-year-old Serbian played 60 NBA matches averaging 8 points, 4 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He’s certainly no stranger to European basketball with a series of accolades to show from the very beginning of his career. He’s bound to become a difference-maker for any European side that adds him this summer.
Ekpe Udoh
Age: 32
Nationality: American
NBA teams: Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz
Ekpe Udoh might not have European experience similar to Teodosic, but definitely rocked EuroLeague the last time he traveled to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. He’s set to become a free agent in July, but has already emerged as a massive target for top EuroLeague clubs.
Udoh signed with Bnei Herzliya during the 2011 lockout and joined Fenerbahce in 2016. His first season was great and got him the All-EuroLeague Second Team nod, but fell way short from his EuroLeague Champion, Final Four MVP and All-EuroLeague First Team achievements a year later.
Jimmer Fredette
Age: 30
Nationality: American
NBA teams: Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns
After moving from the NBA to the Chinese CBA and back, Jimmer Fredette can prefer Europe to display his tremendous scoring abilities. He was the 10th pick of the 2011 NBA draft, but has struggled to prove his value in the NBA. The same can’t be said about China and his numerous enormous offensive showings that translate to over 35 points per contest in three years.
The former BYU star signed with the Phoenix Suns last March, but will be a free agent if his team doesn’t pick up the 1.4 million dollar option for the 2019-20 season. EuroLeague action may suit him well, especially looking at Shane Larkin’s and other Americans’ success as scoring machines for various sides.
Donatas Motiejunas
Age: 28
Nationality: Lithuanian
NBA teams: Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs
Another player moving from the NBA to China and vice versa is Donatas Motiejunas. It’s been a while since he appeared in EuroLeague, but circumstances can change. The Lithuanian big will consider his options this summer and Europe will certainly provide him with a variety of choices following his impressive 2018-19 campaign in the Chinese CBA.
Motiejunas has taken part of 262 NBA matches, including 11 in the Playoffs from 2012. He previously suited up for 13 EuroLeague contests, three with Zalgiris Kaunas in the 2007-08 season and ten with Arka Gdynia four years later. China and the Shandong Golden Stars were his home from 2017 until he joined the Spurs last April, but his future is unknown.
Salah Mejri
Age: 32
Nationality: Tunisian
NBA team: Dallas Mavericks
EuroLeague Champion in 2015, Salah Mejri, is set to become a free agent on July 1st. He spent the majority of last four years playing 208 NBA games for the Dallas Mavericks and starting in 23 occasions. The Tunisian center previously lived EuroLeague and ACB glory with Real Madrid.
Despite facing injuries in recent seasons, Mejri remains a solid option for any EuroLeague side, but he hasn’t yet ruled out another NBA contract. He’s already played in Spain and Belgium, but if a return to Europe is his final decision he may make his way to another country of the continent.
Brad Wanamaker
Age: 29
Nationality: American
NBA teams: Boston Celtics
Last July, Brad Wanamaker signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics. He ended up taking part in 36 Regular Season matches and four in the Playoffs, but never broke out from his minimal role for Brad Stevens’ side. After debuting in the NBA, he will become a restricted free agent this summer, but may already be on his way back to Europe.
The Pittsburgh alumni previously moved his talents to Italy, France, Germany and Turkey from 2011 including EuroLeague campaigns with Brose Bamberg in 2015-16, Darussafaka in 2016-17 and Fenerbahce in 2017-18. He averaged 14.9 points in 94 EuroLeague contests and 17.9 in 2016-17, enough for the All-EuroLeague Second Team.