Daniel Theis on Tony Parker’s ASVEL project: “You would have expected a phone call”

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

Daniel Theis discussed the circumstances surrounding his departure from ASVEL, admitting he was disappointed by the lack of communication after Tony Parker’s ambitious plans failed to materialize.

The German center initially joined the French club after Parker presented a project that would allow him to focus primarily on EuroLeague games.

“First of all, it’s an honor when Tony Parker calls. The idea he had was good. He said I could prolong my career by playing more in the EuroLeague and less in the French League. The plan was to have a large roster, like many EuroLeague teams,” Theis said to Braunschweiger-zeitung.

However, only a third of ASVEL’s projected €60 million budget reportedly became available, leaving several signings searching for new clubs.

“I found out mostly through the media or through teammates who sent me reports. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much communication. Tony Parker probably felt bad himself because he had put his name behind the project. It was probably very frustrating for him that it didn’t work out.”

Theis nevertheless believed Parker should have addressed the situation directly.

“You would have expected a phone call. We spoke over the summer. Many players, myself included, had been to his house to discuss different things. Finding out this way was obviously frustrating.”

The 34-year-old eventually signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv after being offered the role of starting center.

“It was really late in the summer, the end of July. I’m not the youngest anymore. But Maccabi contacted me very quickly and offered me the role of starting center for two years. That convinced me.”