The Top10 EuroLeague free agents

By Stefan Acevski / info@eurohoops.net

Free agency has already started in Europe, and there are already more than many cases of players who are free agents, but have already a deal for next season.

As you see in this Top 10 list, there are more than 10 who already have a new contract, all but signed, or in some cases even signed.

Still, there are also those players who, despite being linked with some clubs, remain on the market, and things may be more complicated in their case.

From point guards to centers, from EuroLeague legends to some new faces, this is a list of the top 10 free agents who don’t have a club for the next year.

1. Trey Lyles (Real Madrid)

The first European season for the 30-year-old power forward has ended, and it was more than good for the Real Madrid player.

Trey fit very well into Real’s system, mainly coming off the bench, but that didn’t stop him from being one of the best in the Madrid squad with 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Unfortunately for him, the EuroLeague trophy slipped away in a tense finish against Olympiacos.

Lyles has a lot to offer; he has excellent shooting, is intelligent, and can play as a center if needed. It’s certain that Trey is awaiting a new contract, and we’ll see if it means moving from Madrid or if Real will decide to extend his contract.

2. Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot (Baskonia)

TLC has played the best season of his career, where he was in the running for the Alphonso Ford Trophy, awarded to the top scorer of the EuroLeague.

The Frenchman had strong shooting percentages (54% on two-point shots, 42% on three-point shots, and almost 90% from the free-throw line), and with 18.2 points, he was by far the best scorer for the Spaniards. It’s no surprise that the 30-year-old forward is among the most sought-after players on the market.

Luwawu Cabarrot is for sure at least a target of ASVEL. The team from Villeurbanne wants to significantly strengthen ahead of the new season, with Sylvain Francisco heading there. Timothe could be next, given that ASVEL plans to build its roster by adding top French players in the new season.

3. Shavon Shields (Olimpia Milano)

Another forward on the market is Shavon Shields, who spent the previous season with Olimpia Milano.

Shields is 32 years old and is now an experienced EuroLeague veteran who played a central role in Olimpia’s game in previous seasons. Although he is slowly aging, Shavon was excellent last season, averaging 12 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

Currently, Greek EuroCup contender PAOK has been linked to the player. The team, which will play in the BKT EuroCup next season, is building a strong roster under coach Andrea Trinchieri’s guidance and getting Shields can be a huge upgrade.

4. Zach Leday (Olimpia Milano)

Alongside Shields, Zach Leday, a power forward for this giant, also doesn’t have a contract with Olimpia Milano for the next year.

After a successful stint with Partizan, Leday returned to Olimpia, and the 32-year-old is finishing his third season with the Milan team. He was, along with Shields, a leader for Olimpia last season, with 13.1 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Where Zach will continue his career is uncertain. There have been reports in Serbian media that Partizan wants to see him back in their ranks, and Leday is certainly awaiting another very lucrative contract.

5. Daniel Theis (AS Monaco)

After a turbulent season in Monaco, Daniel Theis’ contract expires this summer, making him a free agent.

There are many uncertainties currently surrounding Monaco, the main one being whether they will even be part of the EuroLeague next season, which will largely dictate the budget and the team.

As for Theis, the former Boston Celtics center and European and World Champion with Germany, certainly still has something to offer at the highest level. The German big man is 34 years old, and last season he averaged 9.7 points and five rebounds.

6. Carsen Edwards (Virtus Bologna)

Moving on to guards, one of the more sought-after players this summer will be Carsen Edwards, who is coming off another good EuroLeague season, this time with Virtus Bologna.

Edwards averaged over 17 points, with 2.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds, but he certainly won’t stay at Virtus, which will face numerous departures in the coming weeks.

For the former Purdue University player, as well as Fenerbahce and Bayern Munich, Zalgiris is the most interested, seeing Carsen as one of the potential replacements for Sylvain Francisco, who is heading to ASVEL.

The Lithuanians base their game on guards, who have a lot of freedom, as seen in previous seasons, so Kaunas could be the place where Edwards’s qualities will shine.

7. Cory Joseph (Olympiacos)

Joseph managed to reach the throne in his first EuroLeague season. He first signed with AS Monaco but moved to Piraeus due to registration issues and did not regret it.

Joseph didn’t have much playing time, but he still had a role in Georgios Bartzokas’ rotation, with a notable performance in the Final against Real, finishing with five points and five assists.

However, with the arrivals of Jean Montero and Codi Miller-McIntyre in Piraeus, the former NBA player has to settle for a complementary role. Cory turns 35 in a few weeks, but still has something to offer in the rotation and off the bench. We’ll see what his next moves will be.

8. Braxton Key (Valencia)

Valencia had a dream season, reaching the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time, with Braxton Key playing a significant role with almost 18 minutes per game, averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Valencia is going through a turbulent period, with Jean Montero moving to Olympiacos, Cameron Taylor also being a target of many suitors, and Key being one of the free agents this summer.

Braxton showed a serious level of basketball, playing a crucial role in the crazy Quarterfinal series against Panathinaikos. We’ll see if he will be one of the players leaving Valencia this summer.

9. Kostas Papanikolaou (Olympiacos)

An Olympiacos legend, who is a free agent.

Papanikolaou lifted the trophy meant for the champion, rounding off an incredible ten years with Olympiacos in this second stint after returning from the NBA. Counting the first, Kostas spent 14 years in Piraeus. This summer, the forward’s contract expires, and we’ll see if there will be a split with the champions.

It would certainly be strange to see him in another club’s jersey, but there are interested parties, as Papanikolaou, despite being 36, still has something to offer.

10. Tomas Satoransky (Barcelona)

Another veteran on this list is Satoransky, who turns 35 this year but had another quite solid season with Barcelona.

With seven points, three rebounds, and just under five assists, Tomas was Barcelona’s starting point guard, but the club is facing a rebuild this summer. Coach Xavi Pascual has left the helm, and the Catalans will certainly need to rejuvenate the team if they want to keep up with the EuroLeague’s intense rhythm.

Whether this means a split with the Czech, we’ll find out in the coming weeks. However, there’s no doubt that even if Tomas leaves Barcelona, he can still compete in the elite.