By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jan Vesely and FC Barcelona have progressed to advanced talks about a contract extension.
The news was reported by Catalan radio station RAC1 and further detailed by Jose Ignacio Huguet on Mundo Deportivo.
Vesely, 33, is contracted through the 2024-25 season, based currently on the three-year contract inked in 2022 to join the Catalonia powerhouse. The projected extension would eliminate a buyout clause for this summer, thus preventing possible approaches from other teams during the offseason. Ongoing negotiations are nearing a deal with both sides wishing to stay together, as noted.
Retaining a key role under head coach Roger Grimau, the Czech big tallied 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest over 25 appearances, including 24 starts in the 2023-24 installment of EuroLeague. At 18-8, Barca sits seconds in the standings. In Spain’s Liga Endesa, Vesely has 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest with his side ranking third.
Selected with the sixth overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft, his experience in the league based in North America stretched to 162 games played over three seasons split between the Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets. Returning to Europe in 2014, he spent eight years at Fenerbahce before landing in Barcelona.
In an official move for Barca, Michael Caicedo was loaned to Girona for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign on Thursday. The 20-year-old swingman was recently cleared for game action after surgery in his right foot and a long stint on the injury list.