EuroLeague: ten of the most impactful signings in a market full of surprise moves

The EuroLeague market has produced ten of the most impactful signings in what is described as the most eventful summer in recent European basketball memory. There have been surprises among coaches, with Zeljko Obradovic returning to Panathinaikos, Pedro Martínez joining Real Madrid and Xavi Pascual taking charge in Dubai, as well as among players, with several of the continent’s leading figures changing settings.

This selection does not necessarily claim to include the best EuroLeague signings, or even the best signings made by each of their teams, but rather those whose impact could be the greatest. The most intense market in recent memory has consequently generated a host of unexpected moves.

Fresh from being crowned EuroLeague champions, Olympiacos signed Jean Montero. The club paid Valencia Basket the Dominican guard’s buyout clause, set at €500,000, to secure one of the season’s revelations. In his first campaign in the competition, Montero was the seventh-highest-rated player, at 17.9 credits per game. Having arrived at Olympiacos, he will nevertheless have to fit into a squad featuring Vezenkov, Milutinov and Dorsey among others.

Guerschon Yabusele returned from the NBA after two seasons in which he was unable to establish himself on a lasting basis. With the Bulls, Knicks and Sixers, he still averaged 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 137 games. He will be one of the EuroLeague’s best-paid players at Panathinaikos, whose squad combines considerable depth and quality; Obradovic will be tasked with managing it. Yabusele was seen during his first days with the Greek club. His compatriot Sylvain Francisco could also have been included in this selection, among the reinforcements on whom owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos is relying to bounce back after a painful year that ended with the eternal rival being crowned European champions.

At Real Madrid, Luwawu-Cabarrot established himself as one of the team’s reference points during pre-season and the EuroLeague SuperCup, in which he played the final. The fourth-leading scorer in the EuroLeague last season at 18.3 points per game, the French forward should be Madrid’s main offensive threat, pending how Nick Smith Jr. adapts and what he can offer. He should also take some of the key late-game possessions and help replace the points previously supplied by Hezonja and Lyles.

Nikola Mirotic’s arrival at Valencia Basket was one of the market’s final major moves. At 35, the power forward retains his talent even if he may no longer be expected to be the first option. During a turbulent season at AS Monaco, affected by unpaid wages and physical problems, he averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and a 12.7 rating. Back in Spain after leaving Barcelona in 2023, he brings Valencia the experience of a player ranked fifth in EuroLeague history both in points and rating.

Mike James, meanwhile, will take his talent to Pablo Laso’s Anadolu Efes. The EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer with 5,916 points, he will join his sixth club in the competition after Baskonia, Panathinaikos, Armani Milan, CSKA and AS Monaco, where he spent the past five campaigns. At 36, he remains both an relentless scorer and a star with a difficult temperament. Fifth in rating last season at 19.1 credits per game, he remains a major threat to opponents. He has been presented by Anadolu Efes.

Shane Larkin has crossed the Bosphorus to join Fenerbahce. The American spent eight years at Anadolu Efes, playing 226 of his 259 EuroLeague games for the club, an unusual attachment for an American player. Sarunas Jasikevicius will be able to rely on his scoring and playmaking. At 33, despite physical issues and less explosiveness than in his partnership with Vasilije Micic, Larkin remains a player who must be closely watched. He posed as a Fenerbahce player.

Jonas Valanciunas’s return to the EuroLeague is also being closely watched. The Lithuanian centre had not played in the competition since 2011, when he represented Lietuvos Rytas, before spending 14 seasons in the NBA with the Raptors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Wizards, Kings and Nuggets. He played 1,002 games there, averaging 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. At 34, he should be among the EuroLeague’s most dominant centres; a picture also shows him preparing to shoot a free throw for Zalgiris.

Dubai Basketball is adding a key piece to its project. Its point guard is not portrayed as a star, but as a player who helps teams win through his direction, effort and defence, qualities he put to use for Olympiacos, champions last season. His departure from the club, where he became an idol over five years, was one of the summer’s sagas: his release cost $2.6 million and he has been handed a $9.6 million contract over three campaigns. Xavi Pascual has therefore acquired a “gladiator”.

Patty Mills will make his EuroLeague debut at 38 and will be among the oldest first-time players in the competition’s history. The Australian guard comes off 16 NBA seasons, 10 of them in San Antonio, before his surprise signing with La Laguna Tenerifa last season. His time in the Liga Endesa confirmed to him that he could still target major challenges: he has joined an ASVEL project with fewer financial resources than expected. Mills will have another opportunity to show how comfortable he is in FIBA basketball and posed with ASVEL.

Finally, EuroLeague newcomer Besiktas has been active in the market through the David DeJulius case. After his contract was extended by UCAM Murcia, the guard sought to leave because of interest from the Turkish club. He will ultimately join Besiktas on loan. Murcia will recover his rights next summer and, if he does not remain with the club, will receive an increased buyout clause. A Liga Endesa star with 17.7 points and a 16.6 rating, DeJulius will test himself in the EuroLeague. And next season could still bring further possibilities.