Top 10 EuroLeague market players to hit the NBA free agency / News - Basketnews.com

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It's that time of the year again. Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania feed us with free agency news about the top NBA players and their summer decisions.Soon a few well-known European basketball names are likely to appear on one of those tweets too.BasketNews presents the Top 10 EuroLeague players with the potential to relocate to the NBA market.

Kevin Pangos

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Shane Larkin

Position:PGAge:28Height:182 cmWeight:80 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

One of the hottest names on the EuroLeague market is close to taking his talents to the NBA.

Former Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker might receive a guaranteed NBA deal.BasketNews sources indicated that the Memphis Grizzlies could be front-runners for the EuroLeague's star services.

That would be a tremendous loss both for the EuroLeague and CSKA Moscow. The 28-year-old point guard had a verbal commitment with the Russian powerhouse, but Pangos included the NBA-out a scenario in this agreement.

1.86 m Canadian guard averaged 13.5 points, 2 rebounds, 6.7 assists per game and was named to the 2020-21 All-EuroLeague first team. Pangos going to the NBA would probably force CSKA front office to take some risks upgrading the backcourt.

Mike James

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Mike James has one of the most compelling cases in free agency on both sides of the Atlantic.

Last season he reached an agreement with CSKA Moscow, which allowed him to become a free agent until the end of 2020-21, clearing the way to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. But there was no indication about the contract termination yet, which officially runs through 2023.

So basically, James is still officially a CSKA player, although he's not expected to wear a red and blue uniform again with Dimitris Itoudis at the helm.

BasketNews sources say James is expected to stay in the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets declined the qualifying offer for James, making him an unrestricted free agent. But James should find the new team easily since he averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 assists per 18 minutes in 13 NBA games for Brooklyn.

Shane Larkin

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Shane Larkin is expected to remain with the Anadolu Efes Istanbul, but the 28-year old guard has an NBA-out clause included in his contract. However, it won't be easy to get him out of the EuroLeague.

Larkin's deal with Anadolu Efes is reportedly worth around $4M. Per BasketNews sources, one of the best EuroLeague scorers will leave Turkey only if he gets a very lucrative NBA offer.

There are more EuroLeague stars with the NBA out clause included. Shavon Shields, Iffe Lundberg, Pierria Henry, Ioannis Papapetrou, Rodions Kurucs are the most prominent names on that list. But they're likely to stay in Europe.

Jock Landale

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Australian big man was not the EuroLeague player past season.But he was very close to making a substantial EuroLeague comeback.

Per BasketNews sources, Jock Landale committed to Anadolu Efes Istanbul. However, just like Kevin Pangos, he's very close to fulfilling his NBA dream. BasketNews sources indicate that Landale has the NBA agreement in place.

Landale has been aiming for the NBA deal for years. He even decided to parts ways with Zalgiris Kaunas before his second EuroLeague season 2020-21 to keep his contract situation more flexible for the NBA teams. However, he ended up without signing an NBA deal and finished the season in Australia. Landale led Melbourne United with 16.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game to the NBL Championship.

UPDATE: Jock Landale has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, per Shams Charania.

Rokas Giedraitis

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In previous years Rokas Giedraitis had many NBA Summer League invitations and two-way contract offers. But instead of an uncertain NBA future, 28-year-old forward concentrated on marking his name in the EuroLeague. This summer, the Lithuanian might be ready to make a stronger NBA push.

Per BasketNews sources, Giedraitis camp is working hard on getting the guaranteed NBA deal. However, his contract situation doesn't help. According to BasketNews sources, a $1M NBA buyout is included in his agreement with Baskonia Vitoria. His current contract runs through 2023.

Giedraitis averaged 12.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game past EuroLeague season.

Nigel Hayes

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Nigel Hayes was an essential piece for Zalgiris Kaunas the last two seasons and had a promising EuroLeague career in front of him. But 26-year-old forward is eager to return to the NBA despite the significant interest from the EuroLeague teams.

Hayes had a workout with the Boston Celtics and left a good impression on one of the Eastern Conference powerhouses.Hayes had enough NBA interest during the season, and it seems like he could continue his career in States.

Last EuroLeague season Hayes improved his numbers in scoring (9.5 points) and three-point shooting (44.3%).

Tyler Dorsey

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One of the top scorers of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Tyler Dorsey, is not expected to return to the EuroLeague. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that a 25-year-old guard is drawing interest from several NBA teams.

Dorsey, who averaged 11.2 points and 1.6 assists per game last EuroLeague season, has played 104 games for the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies from 2017 to 2019.

Jaleen Smith

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Two years ago, Jaleen Smith was playing in the second German division. Now the German league MVP is one of the best remaining guards in the EuroLeague free agency.

A 26-year-old combo guard is drawing attention both from the EuroLeague and top EuroCup teams. But MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg leader is not in a hurry to sign a contract in Europe. Smith worked out with the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers, and now he's set to play for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League. There are several two-way contract possibilities in the NBA, but Smith is seeking a guaranteed deal.

If he doesn't get the deal he wants, he'll likely join one of few well-known teams in Europe.

Isaia Cordinier

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Isaia Cordinier is another free agent who draws serious interest from the EuroLeague teams. Some of them, including Zalgiris and Maccabi, tried to approach 24-year-old French swingman during the season. But Cordinier is set to shift to a higher level.

One of the Nets stash picks is reportedly expected to join Brooklyn for the next season.

Cordinier averaged 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in the EuroCup for Nanterre 92. He was also named to All-EuroCup's first team.

Ishmail Wainright

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Ishmail Wainright was another intriguing name entering the EuroLeague market this summer. Few EuroLeague teams, including Zalgiris, were after this 26-year-old former American football player. However, 1.96 m Wainright is ready to leap straight from the FIBA Champions League to the NBA.

Per BasketNews sources, Wainright was linked with the Toronto Raptors for a long time. He got an offer from Toronto during the season, but Strasbourg SIG didn't let him go, per BasketNews sources.

Wainright averaged 9.9 points and 4 rebounds in FIBA Champions League, but more than his stats, his unique physical tools make him an interesting case to consider for the NBA clubs.

UPDATE: Ishmail Wainright has agreed to a two-year deal with the Toronto Raptors, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

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