By Melikşah Bayrav / info@eurohoops.net
We have come to the end of another exciting season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, with a thrilling Final Four in Kaunas, won by Real Madrid (almost) at the buzzer against Olympiacos. We don’t have games ahead of us, but there will still be excitement over the transfer window.
Some names whose contracts with their teams will expire this summer are on the radar of many teams in Europe. With the official end of the season in the EuroLeague, we are starting to scan the free agency market. Following the Top 10 EuroLeague playmakers, Eurohoops brings to you the Top 10 EuroLeague shooting guards whose contracts expire this summer.
UPDATE: Giannoulis Larentzakis was removed from the list after Olympiacos contacted Eurohoops and clarified that the player has a contract until 2024, despite the fact that there’s no official announcement for this extension.
NOTE: Players with a +1 year option in their contract are not included in the list.
EuroLeague Rosters and Transfers index
Kevin Punter
Age: 29
Season stats: 16.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 15.0 PIR over 27:54 (37 games)
Expected to attract the interest of multiple potential suitors, Kevin Punter sparks the fiery start to our list.
With his future at Partizan Mozzart Bet uncertain, the American-born naturalized Serbian guard will indeed become a free agent his summer. Plenty of teams are likely to monitor his status and eventually approach him hoping to secure his services.
He’s among the most prolific scorers in EuroLeague, shooting 44.3% (81/183) from beyond the arc.
Carsen Edwards
Age: 25
Season stats: 8 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 4.9 PIR over 15:21 (34 games)
Tending to make things happen in offense with an explosive first step, Carsen Edwards can be an influential player for any team.
Coming in as the G League’s top scorer (26.8 points per game, 4.2 assists per game), he moved his talents to Fenerbahce Beko. Developing into a key player for head coach Dimitris Itoudis, he was a momentum-changer in the Playoffs series versus Olympiacos, especially in Game 2.
Heading to the free-agent pool, Fener officials have yet to make a decision on whether to present him with an offer for a contract extension.
Rodrigue Beaubois
Age: 35
Season stats: 10.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 11.2 PIR over 25:15 (30 games)
Nearing the conclusion of his career, Rodrigue Beaubois will be seeking the next destination, if he does not instead ink a contract extension with Anadolu Efes.
He set his season-high at 30 points in the 82-79 loss to Partizan Mozzart Bet. Proving once more that on a solid showing, he is a player capable of destroying any kind of defense with his killer instinct.
The Istanbul outfit currently seems reluctant in extending his contract. Certainly, several teams will be interested, including Panathinaikos and incoming head coach Ergin Ataman.
Retin Obasohan
Age: 30
Season stats: 6.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 5.9 PIR over 21:41 (34 games)
One more veteran option on the market. ASVEL’s guard had a solid season in the EuroLeague and showed that he can do whatever is asked of him on the floor.
Last season he played with Hapoel Jerusalem, and he had very good numbers, with 16.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.
The French club is expected to discuss with him and consider all possibilities with a contract for next season not being excluded.
Darrun Hilliard
Age: 30
Season stats: 5.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 4.1 PIR over 13:28 (32 games)
The most recent EuroLeague campaign was far from his best, but Darrun Hilliard is a player with a charm for scoring and creating points.
He moved from FC Bayern Munich to Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv as an upgrade for the Israeli club. Sitting out for over one month early in the season due to injury was an issue to overcome.
Any team would love to have him. The Yellows are reportedly leaning toward skipping an offer for a contract extension.
Kyle Kuric
Age: 33
Season stats: 5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 4.7 PIR over 13:35 (22 games)
Overcoming obstacles and coming back stronger is the theme attached to Kyle Kuric.
Playing for FC Barcelona since 2019, he is coming off an uneventful EuroLeague campaign with his best effort resulting in 17 points behind 4/5 threes over 24:38 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.
Penning yet another contract extension with the Catalonia giant can’t be ruled out. On its part, Barca is undecided on the matter.
Jonah Mathews
Age: 25
Season stats: 10.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 7.2 PIR over 22:50 (32 games)
Among the most promising EuroLeague newcomers, Jonah Mathews can score points. ASVEL rushed to make good use of his abilities.
Making his way to Europe’s premier club continental competition, noticing rival teams will attempt to lure him away from the Astroballe at the end of his contract.
Setting himself up for EuroLeague action, he averaged 19 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds over 30 appearances in the 2021-22 edition of Poland’s PLK with Anwil Wloclawek.
Marco Belinelli
Age: 37
Season stats: 10 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 7.5 PIR over 16:54 (21 games)
At 37, Marco Belinelli is a veteran player with plenty of experience across the NBA and Europe, and still a gifted scorer.
The former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs has yet to slow down. Being named the Sixth Man of the Year in Italy’s LBA Serie A makes the case.
As Milos Teodosic, he will also become a free agent this summer. Virtus Segafredo Bologna hopes to keep both experienced players.
Belinelli’s best EuroLeague outing this season was against Real Madrid in Round 30 of the Regular Season. He poured 26 points with 6/9 three-pointers and added four assists.
Klemen Prepelic
Age: 30
Season stats: 7.1 points, 0.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 6.9 PIR over 18:31 (27 games)
Free agents that can immediately emerge as valuable assets for any team, Klemen Prepelic surely fits the bill.
His injury in late March followed a reported suspension for disciplinary reasons since denied by both Prepelic and Valencia head coach Alex Mumbru. However, sticking around with the Oranges is uncertain.
Several teams would like to add the Slovenian sharpshooter, looking to incorporate that long-range threat.
Dante Exum
Age: 27
Season stats: 13.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 14.3 PIR over 22:59 (38 games)
An excellent shooting guard, a crucial part of Partizan Mozzart Bet. The same goes for any other team potentially picking him up.
In an ideal world, Exum would have never left the NBA. But injuries dictated his future. Back in 2013, he was considered a top NBA prospect, participating in the Nike Hoop Summit.
At Partizan, he is set to become a free agent. The current lack of talks on a contract extension makes him a candidate for departure during the offseason.