By Utkan Şahin and John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Keeping a close eye on the EuroLeague Free Agent market leads Eurohoops to present the Top 10 players still available. Crazy moves all around Europe’s premier competition have already been sealed from the beginning of the summer and EuroLeague might be close to its peak on terms of players ready for 2019-20 action.
However, our list of free agents still in the market proves that many quality options remain available for the 18 EuroLeague sides. All of our choices have previous EuroLeague experience and are ready to gain even more.
Marching towards August, clubs that have already strengthened their roster can further improve or other teams that seem to be trailing can get right back in the thick of it.
Both Shane Larkin and Sergio Rodriguez could have held prominent positions in the list. However, the former will stay with Anadolu Efes and the latter has a deal with AX Armani Exchange Milan.
Here are the top remaining free agents:
Norris Cole
Age / Country: 30 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 43 games
2018-19 Stats: 15 games, 16.6 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 15.2 PIR
Various teams including Olympiacos are interested in Norris Cole, but the Cleveland State alumni is still a free agent.
Defense might not be his strongest suit, but the two-time NBA champion’s ability to effectively dominate the ball makes his an attractive target for any EuroLeague side.
His EuroLeague experience includes 28 games with Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv and 15 with Buducnost VOLI. He has posted 12.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in those 43 appearances.
Keith Langford
Age / Country: 36 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 8 seasons – 143 games
2018-19 Stats: 25 games, 10.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 9.9 PIR
Two-times Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy recipient, Keith Langford, is coming off a tough campaign with Panathinaikos OPAP. His injury prevented him from reaching his full potential, but still has a lot to offer to EuroLeague.
He will be 36 in mid-September. However, his experience of 143 EuroLeague contests with 16.3 points per appearance likely lands him leading spot in the list of many teams of Europe’s premier competition.
Any side in a need of an effective scorer will pursue the Kansas alumni down the stretch of the summer transfer period. ALBA Berlin and KIROLBET Baskonia are already among his potential suitors.
Kevin Seraphin
Age / Country: 29 / France
EuroLeague Career: 3 seasons – 49 games
2018-19 Stats: 27 games, 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 7.7 PIR
Various injuries held Kevin Seraphin back, but the 29-year-old French center is still a very good option for many EuroLeague sides that want to upgrade their frontcourt ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
Seraphin was the 17th pick of the 2010 NBA draft and later played in 437 NBA games before making his way back to Europe via FC Barcelona Lassa a couple of summer ago.
The Spaniards went another way this year and let him go providing their EuroLeague opponents with the opportunity to snatch a quality addition.
In a total of 49 appearances in Europe’s premier competition, Seraphin has 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per match.
Axel Toupane
Age / Country: 26 / France
EuroLeague Career: 3 seasons – 70 games
2018-19 Stats: 26 games, 4.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 3.3 PIR
Another Frenchman Axel Toupane is next on our list.
It has been two years since he returned to EuroLeague after 25 NBA games from 2015 to 2017. The 26-year-old swingman jumped to the opportunity with Zalgiris Kaunas, but did not enjoy similar progress with Olympiacos during the 2018-19 campaign.
He has been in the market for a while after exiting the Reds midway through April, but still has not narrowed down his next team. Toupane certainly wants to get back on track as soon as possible.
Malcolm Thomas
Age / Country: 30 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 3 seasons – 79 games
2018-19 Stats: 30 games, 8.6 points, 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 12.1 PIR
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv and Olympiacos are among his potential suitors for the upcoming EuroLeague season, but Malcolm Thomas is still a free agent.
The American forward/center is coming off a pair of EuroLeague campaigns with Khimki Moscow Region. He also was a part of Europe’s premier competition back in the 2012-13 season with Maccabi.
He never was a leading player for Khimki, but definitely showcased his abilities to dominate the paint whenever needed. He remains a good option for any side that wants to add depth to its roster.
Chris Singleton
Age / Country: 29 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 4 seasons – 133 games
2018-19 Stats: 35 games, 8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 8.7 PIR
It might come as a surprise that Chris Singleton is still available, but certainly has earned a spot in our list.
Only one summer ago he was among the hottest EuroLeague free agents. The same can not be said this time around.
The Florida State alumni moved from Panathinaikos OPAP to FC Barcelona Lassa, but failed to secure a contract extension for the 2019-20 season.
Singleton never really adapted to his role at Barcelona and is now searching for his next team under different circumstances.
He has 133 EuroLeague matches under his belt. His experience might be attractive for potential suitors down the stretch of the summer transfer period.
Stefan Markovic
Age / Country: 31 / Serbia
EuroLeague Career: 4 seasons – 91 games
2018-19 Stats: 27 games, 6.1 points, 4.4 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 7.9 PIR
Stefan Markovic is still looking for a new team after parting ways with Khimki Moscow Region.
With the Russian club, the reliable point guard was not very efficient alongside dominant Alexey Shved. However, a different situation can let him showcase his known abilities.
His experience of 91 EuroLeague games will come in handy for the club that eventually picks him up. In those appearances, the Serbian guard has averaged 4.9 points, 4 assists and 2.3 rebounds.
Gustavo Ayon
Age / Country: 34 / Mexico
EuroLeague Career: 5 seasons – 141 games
2018-19 Stats: 31 games, 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 14.5 PIR
A free agent able to upgrade any EuroLeague team is Gustavo Ayon. The 34-year-old Mexican big is a very attractive option, but seems to have prioritized an NBA return.
If Ayon ultimately decides to adjust his priorities, he will likely be immediately surrounded by potential EuroLeague suitors. Any team with the appropriate space will have the chance to make an enormous addition down the stretch of the summer transfer period.
Since 2014, he played in 141 matches in Europe’s premier competition with Real Madrid. The Mexican big posted 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.2 assists per appearance displaying his versatility.
Toney Douglas
Age / Country: 33 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 34 games
2018-19 Stats: 20 games, 14.5 points, 4 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 13 PIR
With a couple of EuroLeague seasons of experience, former NBA player Toney Douglas marches into our Top 10. The veteran of 409 NBA matches is 33 years old and more adjusted than ever to Europe’s premier competition.
He joined Darussafaka Tekfen last December and left a positive note on his second EuroLeague campaign. Showcasing his leadership qualities, he made his side more competitive against stronger opposition.
The Auburn and Florida State alumni can is still able to influence the game and might prove so once again during the 2019-20 edition of EuroLeague. However, his future remains unclear to this point.
Johnny O’Bryant
Age / Country: 25 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 1 season – 30 games
2018-19 Stats: 30 games, 10.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 9.3 PIR
Last but not least, Johnny O’Bryant III. He only has one EuroLeague season under his belt, but is definitely an attractive solution for any team of Europe’s premier competition.
The LSU alumni joined Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv last summer after four NBA campaigns. He displayed his offensive versatility and proved very capable in defense as well.
At only 26 year old, the American big still has room for improvement, but is certainly good enough to maintain a spot in the EuroLeague. However, he remains a free agent.