Zalgiris coach Maksvytis on not signing Shabazz Napier: 'We got scared' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS, Capitanes de Ciudad de México Credit Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS, Capitanes de Ciudad de México

After losing Keenan Evans to a season-ending Achilles injury, Zalgiris Kaunas signed Isaiah Taylor to be the replacement in the backcourt.

Zalgiris Kaunas / Schedule

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After the team's general manager Paulius Motiejunas explained how it happened, the club's head coach Kazys Maksvytis was asked about the process of getting Taylor and Achille Polonara as well.

"We had a wide bunch of candidates but we decided to get a motivated, reliable, and physical player. I think that Taylor will blossom here," Maksvytis said after the win in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) against Neptunas Klaipeda. "We had talked with Polonara earlier because the situation with Tyler Cavanaugh was not getting better. We're happy he came."

There were some talks about Zalgiris trying their luck by signing former NBA guard Shabazz Napier who spent the majority of last year in Europe sidelined due to an injury.

"We had that opportunity but we got scared. He didn't practice the entire last season, he hasn't practiced this year as well. It looks good on paper but we chose to have something concrete instead of hope."

Napier has been playing for Capitanes de Ciudad de México in the NBA G-League this season.

The Lithuanian coach later revealed that both Taylor and Polonara should debut on Tuesday against Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

"We won't put them straight into the fire, we'll integrate them little by little. The team already has its rhythm but we'll have to let the newcomers in. I hope they'll pass the medical check tomorrow and will be able to travel with us and help in the first game," the coach said.

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