Paulius Jankunas explains why Zalgiris parted ways with Kazys Maksvytis / News - Basketnews.com

Zalgiris GM Paulius Jankunas said he truly believed that Kazys Maksvytis could turn things around, but the results in the recent two weeks were not satisfactory.

Credit: Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS Credit Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS

Zalgiris Kaunas introduced the new club's head coach, Andrea Trinchieri. Zalgiris GM Paulius Jankunas also attended the press conference alongside the Italian tactician and received a few questions.

Free throws this season

79%11,2Points made:11,2Accuracy:78,8%Place in standings:17Record max:21Record min:4Most made FTs:Keenan EvansTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Probably the main answer everyone wanted to hear was the reasoning for parting ways with Kazys Maksvytis.

The first reports about Trinchieri joining Zalgiris emerged more than two weeks ago. However, Zalgiris denied every story, claiming that the club fully trusts in Maksvytis. Nevertheless, on January 1, Trinchieri was introduced as the new team's coach.

"I truly believed in the team and coaches," Jankunas said. "The players were coming back from injuries. The newcomers [Edmond Sumner, Austin Hollins] got used to [the team], so I really thought that we could turn the situation around and improve our game."

"However, these two weeks were really tough. There were games in which we were really close, but the results didn't change. Therefore, I had to make this difficult decision and bring the new energy and ideas to the team," Zalgiris GM added.

Kazys MaksvytisCredit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

After being asked whether the messy situation regarding Maksvytis' future in the team played a part in the team's results, Jankunas claimed that a little bit of everything influenced it.

"I think everything played a part. Players' departures, injuries, and many other things. In the summer, it seemed that 80% of the team would remain. We added new players to strengthen our weak spots, but we haven't been able to find our game since the beginning of the season.

It seemed that it would be a consistent season. For me, as a new executive, it's a massive amount of experience," Jankunas continued.

Another crucial topic was how much Zalgiris would pay for Maksvytis's departure.

"Coach Kazys had a contract until the end of this season. We respect this contract, and we'll pay him in full," Jankunas confirmed.

Meanwhile, the rest of the coaching staff will remain.

"For now, there won't be more changes in coaching staff," Jankunas said. "As I said, the coach [Trinchieri] wants to work with the current coaches. If he has some thoughts or ideas, we will sit and discuss, but for now, nothing will change."

Jankunas also said Zalgiris won't change their policy on trying to bring the best Lithuanian players available.

"We are Zalgiris. We are a Lithuanian team, and the Lithuanians have always been important and played a big part. The [Lithuanian] core has always been and still is strong. It will not change," Jankunas added.

Full Andrea Trinchieri and Paulius Jankunas press conference

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