Sfairopoulos says Napier 'didn't play good games,' reveals hurdles in adding players / News - Basketnews.com

Crvena Zvezda contacted other teams for buyouts, but faced challenges in player acquisition: "The market is very tight. All of Europe tries to find point guards; all of Europe tries to find big guys, and all teams try to find players."

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Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos has confirmed ongoing negotiations for the departure of Shabazz Napier from the Serbian team.

Shabazz Napier

MIN:17.73PTS:9.75 (44.7%)REB:1.67As:2.33ST:1.33BL:0TO:1.83GM:12ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Sfairopoulos addressed the situation in a post-game statement after their loss to Real Madrid in EuroLeague Round 15, which subsequently garnered attention and led to a reaction from Napier.

Following a brief interview with EuroLeague TV, the Greek specialist appeared in the press conference, where he clarified the situation regarding Shabazz and Zvezda's moves in the market.

"He [Shabazz] came to me this morning, and he told me that he did not want to risk an injury, and he can't play the game," Sfairopoulos addressed Napier's non-play on Tuesday night.

When asked about the possibility of Napier returning to the team if negotiations with another team fell through, Sfairopoulos said the player would not be welcomed back.

"He will not come back in the team. He put himself out of the team," the Greek coach pointed out.

Addressing the need for a scorer following Napier's departure and the veteran age of Milos Teodosic, Sfairopoulos expressed the ongoing search for quality players in the market.

"You are discussing about the scorer concerning Shabazz, but Shabazz so far did not score a lot, and he did not play good games," Sfairopoulos stressed. "One is this. I agree that today Nedo [Nemanja Nedovic] was not in a good day, but he is a big part of the team -- very experienced, and we trust him. He is a player that we know when the moment comes, he will be there for us.

"Secondly, of course, we are trying to find players," he continued. "What do you think we do not try? We try. We try to find the best players for the team and try to bring additions that will help the team to play better. We do not want to bring players just to bring them. If we bring players that are not better than the players we have, why bring them? Just to say that we bring one name? The market is very tight. All of Europe tries to find point guards; all of Europe tries to find big guys, and all teams try to find players.

"It is not easy now to find quality players, but we are searching the market. ... During this past month, we already contacted other teams to pay buyouts to sign players, not only in the EuroLeague, but also from the EuroCup and Basketball Champions League, but nobody wants to give their main player because they know they will not find a substitution. It is not easy, but we are on the market, yes."

Crvena Zvezda currently sit in the 16th position in the EuroLeague standings, having won five out of 15 games in the season.

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