Josh Nebo reportedly nearing deal with Olimpia Milan / News - Basketnews.com

The ongoing war in Israel will have some serious ramifications on Maccabi's roster in the 2024-25 season. Josh Nebo, who will be a free agent next summer, is close to an agreement with Olimpia Milan.

Credit: Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images Europe Credit Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images Europe

This Tuesday, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will open its third playoff series against Panathinaikos in Greece. After the losses to Real Madrid and Monaco in the previous two years, the Yellows finally want to take the next step forward and return to the Final Four, ten years after the previous time.

Josh Nebo

MIN:23.34PTS:10.85 (68.26%)REB:7.24As:0.56ST:0.5BL:0.82TO:0.91GM:34ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

However, given the situation in Israel, and a complicated year in which they have had to play without fans in Belgrade, some players are destined to leave the squad.

According to Relevo's Chema de Lucas and as confirmed by BasketNews sources, Josh Nebo is nearing an agreement with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan at 1.6 million euros for two seasons. Nebo, 26, penned a one-year extension with Maccabi last summer and will be on an expiring contract come July 2024.

The Houston-born big man has been rock-solid all season, averaging 10.9 points, a league-best 7.3 rebounds and a PIR of 16.6. Just like his team, Nebo has taken his game up a level lately, boosting his numbers to 15.0 points on 36 of 44 two-pointers (81.8% 2FG), 9.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and a PIR of 23.2 in his last six games of the regular season.

Apart from Josh Nebo, all the other foreigners at Maccabi Tel Aviv have a contract for the next season. As far as domestic players, only Jake Cohen and Rafi Manko will be free agents.

According to a recent Walla Sports report, Maccabi's financial loss from the 2023-24 season amounts to 33 million shekels. The owners (and the club in general) suffer a loss of 21 million, with the state covering an additional 12 million. The war and its effects lead to deep uncertainty for next season, and may make it difficult for the Yellows to meet the standards they have set so far.

In a normal season, Maccabi would have already started their ticket sales preparations ahead of the next season. However, currently, and in the foreseeable future, there are no season tickets to sell; no one can guarantee or even guess that the EuroLeague games will return to Israel in October,. And the more significant the financial damage, the smaller their possibility to keep the core players who hold a guaranteed contract.

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