By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid has probably the most complete frontline in recent Euroleague history after signing Anthony Randolph and will keep three non-EU big men in its roster, despite having the right to use only two of them in the Liga Endesa games.
The Spanish champs have also kept Trey Thompkins for next season, they extended the contract of Gustavo Ayon and while the Mexican center and Randolph will be the main front court duo of the team, Thomkins will also have a role in the rotation. To be exact, as Spanish newspaper “Marca” reports, he will have the right to play in every Euroleague game – there’s no limit to foreign players in the competition – and will rotate with the other two players in the Liga Endesa games, where only two non-EU players can be on the active roster.
The interest of Barcelona for Randolph, which is also confirmed by “Marca”, may have pushed Real Madrid into completing the deal despite not having an open non-EU spot on their roster, but on the other hand the longer and more demanding schedule of the new Euroleague format was also a factor in this unusual decision. It will be a long season and an extra player never hurt anyone, even if the addition of Randolph already fueled rumors about Thompkins being released.
This does not seems to be the case and the odd man out from the current roster is once more Augusto Lima. The Brazilian center is expected to be loaned to an other team, like it happened for most of last season with Murcia. Euroleague Final Four MVP of 2015 Andres Nocioni, two time champ in Greece Othelo Hunter – who has a Cotonou passport – and team captain Felipe Reyes complete Real’s roster in the “4” and “5” position.