EuroLeague players that can expect a significant payrise in the summer / News - Basketnews.com
Darius Thompson, Mathias Lessort, Giannoulis Larentzakis, Chris Jones, Bonzie Colson, Jonah Mathews, Luca Vildoza, and Filip Petrusev are on the list of EuroLeague players, who have raised their market price the most this season.
Credit: BN iliustracija
Credit BN iliustracija The 2022-23 EuroLeague season is approaching the playoffs stage, while early spring means the beginning of intensive work for general managers of the clubs. It's time to shape the rosters for next season, regardless of how this one ends.
Mathias Lessort
MIN:30.51PTS:12.59 (70.91%)REB:7.07As:1.31ST:0.9BL:0.9TO:1.52GM:29ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023In consultation with agents and EuroLeague clubs' individuals with excellent basketball market knowledge, BasketNews selected particular players who have raised their market price the most this season and can expect significantly higher salaries in the upcoming summer.
The article focuses only on the EuroLeague players.
The article will include both the current monthly salaries of basketball players (there may be a 10-15% error) and the salaries they will target during the summer.
* Players' salaries are already after taxes.
** The situations of some players are treated hypothetically (as free agents), although some are tied to clubs for long-term contracts.
*** The list would definitely include Zagiris Kaunas guard Keenan Evans, who, according to BasketNews sources, drew interest from six NBA clubs before the severe injury. However, the Achilles tendon injury changed the situation, and instead of a salary that could reach over €1.0M, it should remain similar to this season – about €600,000.
Giannoulis Larentzakis
Credit Dainius Lukšta Current monthly salary: about €20,000-25,000
It is incredible what a breakthrough he has made this campaign. From his progress this season, you would think that he's a young player, but Larentzakis will be 30 years old in September.
Olympiacos never pay big money to local role players, but this season, Larentzakis has become one of the key parts of the club's success. He is second on the team in points scored in the fourth quarters.
Players, who make three-pointers and play solid on the defensive end, are in great demand by all EuroLeague clubs.
Chris Jones
Team:Valencia BasketPosition:PGAge:29Height:188 cmWeight:91 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatisticsLarentzakis is already in talks to extend his contract with Olympiacos, and it is almost certain that he will stay with the team, but the club will have to double his salary.
Larentzakis, who has become a true X-factor, conceals the poor season by Isaiah Canaan, and there are no questions about the Greek's current role.
Expectations in summer: about €40,000-50,000
Darius Thompson
Credit Sonia Canada/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Europe Current monthly salary: €55,000
In the past summer, Thompson was close to moving to Zalgiris, but when Ignas Brazdeikis decided to play in Europe, Kaunas' club believed in the Lithuanian's capabilities and withdrew from the battle for the American guard's signature.
Thompson is having a phenomenal season. The EuroLeague assists leader is the main reason Baskonia remain in an intense fight for the playoffs.
The EuroLeague rookie immediately adapted to the higher level, although at the beginning of last season, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar considered releasing him due to unjustified expectations. It's incredible how quickly things can change in basketball.
The point guard position stays problematic in the entire EuroLeague, so there is no doubt that in the upcoming summer, Thompson will be hunted by European giants, and one of them could be Real Madrid.
With solid height and defensive skills, Thompson will be one of the most desired players in the next transfer window. Though, it wouldn't surprise if he stayed in Vitoria. The Basques have the ability to raise his salary to around €1.0M per season.
Expectations in summer: about €100,000-150,000
Bonzie Colson
Credit Sonia Canada/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Europe Current monthly salary: about€40,000-45,000
FIBA Basketball Champions League MVP (2021) finally got his chance in the EuroLeague and immediately proved that he should have been here earlier.
Colson had an impressive EuroLeague debut against Zalgiris. Then his game fluctuated, but since the second half of the regular season, he has been showing elite numbers for the EuroLeague small forward, averaging 14.1 points and 19.0 PIR.
The 27-year-old player has a valid contract with Maccabi for the next season, so he should stay in Tel Aviv. Perhaps, such a successful season will not significantly increase his salary due to his current obligations.
Colson-style forwards are the most desired EuroLeague players after point guards. His salary could be close to €1.0M if he had citizenship in one of the European countries.
Expectations in summer:about €60,000-70,000
Mathias Lessort
Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Current monthly salary: €50,000
Last season, Lessort had a brief stint in the EuroLeague and then reaffirmed the previous opinion about him – a dominant EuroCup player who has a difficult time standing out in the strongest European club competition. The Frenchman did not stay long in Tel Aviv, which worked to his advantage.
The center, who quickly adapted to the Partizan system, finally transferred his dominance from the EuroCup to the EuroLeague, where he even records better numbers – 12.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 19.9 PIR per game.
Legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic did his job, as he demanded maximum dedication from Lessort and revealed his strengths, giving him confidence.
The kind of dedication Lessort shows in Belgrade is difficult to repeat. The 27-year-old interacts with the Partizan fans, he sings together after victories and even participates in club supporters' weddings.
Having extended his contract in the past summer, Lessort has at least doubled his salary this season and will certainly be hunted by EuroLeague giants.
However, given his love for the black-and-white team and the Partizan financial capabilities in recent seasons, there is a good chance that Lessort will remain with the team if they retain their place in the EuroLeague.
Expectations in summer: about €100,000-130,000
Chris Jones
Credit Valencia Basket/Miguel Angel Polo Current monthly salary: about €65,000-70,000
Valencia is already offering Jones a new lucrative contract, but it is unclear whether the Spanish club will stay in the EuroLeague. And there is no need for Jones to hurry – he will not lack the attention in the upcoming summer.
The agile guard with leadership qualities is playing an even better season than in Villeurbanne, averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 16.0 PIR.
The 29-year-old did not score at least 9 points in a EuroLeague game only 3 times this season. Such consistency is proof of the highest level.
Big EuroLeague clubs could have only one question regarding Chris Jones, and it's his health. He was haunted by recurring knee problems this year. If this issue is resolved, Jones' level of play is definitely worth €1.0M a season.
Expectations in summer: about €90,000-110,000
Jonah Mathews
Credit IMAGO/PanoramiC-Scanpix Current monthly salary: €20,000
ASVEL made a lot of strange moves last summer, but at least Mathews' arrival has paid off.
Even during last season, Fenerbahce wanted to buy out Mathews' contract from Anwil Wloclawek, while Milan was interested in him in the past summer. Nevertheless, everything turned out right for Mathews, and his debut season in ASVEL has allowed him to draw even more attention from EuroLeague clubs.
The 25-year-old American is definitely a EuroLeague-material player, so there is no surprise that he is already attracting interest from other teams.
Also, the second season will be easier for him, so it is a tempting investment for the mid-table teams.
Mathews is still a growing player, and it sometimes displays in his decision-making.
10.4 points and 6.9 PIR isn't anything spectacular, but his scoring ability, defense, and young age are what at least double his market value.
Expectations in summer: about €40,000-50,000
Luca Vildoza
Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague via Getty Images Current monthly salary: €80,000
The Argentinian guard, who has not established himself in the NBA, returned to Europe at the start of the current season and revived his self-confidence with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.
After four EuroLeague seasons in Vitoria, Vildoza has shown an even better version of himself in Belgrade.
Following the uneventful stint in Milwaukee, Vildoza's camp did not plan to return to Europe immediately, but the Belgrade club managed to persuade the talented guard. At Crvena Zvezda, he proved that he could become a primary team option.
After Facundo Campazzo joined the team, Vildoza's numbers dropped a bit, but the overall picture allowed him to consolidate his market position stronger than it was before he left for the NBA.
Vildoza has a valid deal with Crvena Zvezda, but Panathinaikos Athens are targeting him.
The Greek club will once again undergo a major roster revamp, and if the Greens decide to build the team around Vildoza, they may decide to shake up the market by offering the Argentinian at least 1.5 times higher salary.
Expectations in summer: about €120,000-150,000
Filip Petrusev
Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Current monthly salary: €25,000
This campaign became a rehabilitative season for Petrusev after the disappointing time at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where the Serbian prospect did not earn the trust of Ergin Ataman. It's safe to say Petrusev's decision to return to his hometown paid off.
The 50th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft has reminded us how good an offensive talent he is, while coach Dusko Ivanovic even started to use him more at the fourth position.
The Serbian big man is still only 22 years old. He should attract some interest from foreign EuroLeague clubs, which can entrust him with the starting position in the big men lineup.
According to BasketNews sources, Petrusev could have ended up in Zalgiris last summer, but the Lithuanian powerhouse chose Laurynas Birutis instead.
Having shown versatility on the offensive end this season, Petrusev must still improve his skills in defense in the coming years. Obvious defensive flaws prevent him from establishing his name in the elite EuroLeague team.
Expectations in summer: about €50,000-70,000
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