By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA free agency will kick off on July 1st. Teams might be looking towards Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and other available NBA stars, but Europeans will have their part in the proceedings as well. Eurohoops took on the hard task of picking the Top 10 European free agents without leaving out some honorable mentions that did not make the cut.
The list does not include two marquee names, Toronto’s Marc Gasol and Miami’s Goran Dragic. Both of them have elected to use their option and remain with the Raptors and the Heat respectively for one more year.
Nikola Vucevic
NBA teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic
2018-19 stats: 20.8 pts, 12 reb, 3.8 ast, 1.1 blk, 1 stl
The Orlando Magic definitely want to keep Nikola Vucevic around, but their desire might not be enough. On July 1st, the 28-year-old Montenegrin center will become a free agent and will be available for every NBA team.
Fresh off his first All-Star nod, Vucevic is able and ready to lead any NBA side to success. Last season, his seventh with the Magic, he helped his team clinch a Playoffs spot for the first time since 2012.
The USC alumni, 16th pick overall in the 2011 NBA draft, is a dominating force in the paint, offensively and defensively. Any team that secures his services, will certainly profit massively.
Ricky Rubio
NBA teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz
2018-19 stats: 12.7 pts, 6.1 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.3 stl
Back in 2009, Ricky Rubio was the fifth pick of the NBA draft. Ten years later he is set to become a free agent on July 1st following his strong 2018-19 campaign with the Utah Jazz.
The Spaniard point guard was traded to the Jazz a couple of summer ago and has since improved offensively without letting his creative touch slide. Teams are already lining up to add him and he seems ready to pick the best option.
With 509 NBA matches under his belt including 11 postseason affairs, Rubio is an established NBA point guard able to contribute for any organization. His added experience only makes him an even more attractive target.
Bojan Bogdanovic
NBA teams: Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers
2018-19 stats: 18 pts, 4.1 reb, 2 ast
Bojan Bogdanovic has already played for three different teams in his first five NBA campaigns and might be up for his fourth even though the Indiana Pacers are planning to retain him. The reality is that the Croatian swingman is among the 2019 class of free agents.
Coming off his strongest NBA season yet, the 30-year-old will be able to talk with teams of his choosing after July 1st. His ability to help in different areas of the court will definitely be on the agenda of the sides that knock on his door.
Bogdanovic scored a career-high 18 points per Regular Season game last season and followed up with exactly 18 per match as well in the Playoffs. His steadily improving offensive touch is also showcased by his 42.5% from three-point range.
Jonas Valanciunas
NBA teams: Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies
2018-19 stats: 15.6 pts, 8.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.1 blk
Jonas Valanciunas was with the Toronto Raptors since the beginning of the 2012-13 season, but was traded a few months before his previous side won the NBA Championship. He missed out on the historic title, but is set to become a free agent following his short stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Lithuanian big averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in 30 games with the Raptors this past season and followed up with 19.9 points and 10.7 boards per contest with the Grizzlies. He certainly will be among the top targets for any NBA team looking to add size ahead of the 2019-20 Regular Season.
Tomas Satoransky
NBA teams: Washington Wizards
2018-19 stats: 8.9 pts, 5.0 ast., 3.5 reb
The Washington Wizards extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Tomas Satoransky and will have the final say regarding where he’s going to play next season. If the Czech guard receives any offers from other NBA clubs, the Wizards can match them and keep him on board. Thus, it will all come down on what proposals will the player have and if Washington can afford to present an equal bid.
Satoransky comes off the most productive season of his three-year career. He saw his minutes increased and his role getting upgraded due to John Wall’s season-ending surgery and proceeded to register career-high averages in all statistical categories.
Nikola Mirotic
NBA teams: Chigaco Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks
2018-19 stats: 15.2 pts, 7.4 rebs 1.2 ast
After spending the second part of the season with the Milwaukee Bucks and playing in a Conference Finals for the first time in his career, Mirotic will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. It’s rather doubtful that the Bucks will pursue continuing with the player since the team’s priority is retaining free agents Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon.
Mirotic was acquired by the Bucks to provide some necessary floor-spacing for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be more able to run his game. His shooting skills could be appealing to any club looking a big guy that can stretch the court. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Mirotic is a “possibility” for the Utah Jazz.