By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Mantas Kalnietis is leaving Zalgiris Kaunas, as 15min.lt reported, after Friday’s game against Olympiacos for the 4th round of Euroleague’s Top16 in order to join EA7 Emporio Armani Milano.
The Italians were in the marker for a guard for quite some time and after losing their captain Alessandro Gentile due to injury for the next two months, their need became even bigger. The Lithuanian guard will finished the season in Italy playing in the Eurocup and Legabasket by signing a contract until 2017.
It’s obvious that Zalgiris’ decision is mainly financial, since Kalnietis was one of the highest paid players of the team with a 450.000 euros contract.
UPDATE: On the 22nd of January, Zalgiris Kaunas confirmed the deal. According to reports the Lithuanians will also get a buy out.