By Utkan Sahin and John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague offseason is up and running. Players might be concentrated on domestic league competition, but looking ahead to the next campaign of Europe’s premier competition Eurohoops compiled a list with the Top 10 small forwards who will be free agents this summer.
Note: Players with options in their contract are also included.
2019 EuroLeague Free Player Market: Top 10 Small Forwards
Tony Crocker (Khimki Moscow Region)
Age / Country: 32 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 1 season – 30 games
2018-19 Stats: 30 games, 8.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 5.4 PIR
Top Performance: 18 points, 3 rebounds versus KIROLBET Baskonia (Round 25)
He got to EuroLeague at the age of 31 and Tony Crocker hopes to remain in Europe’s premier competition. He averaged 8.9 points per game for Khimki Moscow Region with 45.6% inside the rainbow and 32.4% beyond the arc to make his case ahead of free agency. He was the Russian side’s best plus-minus player mostly due to the offensive threat he provides.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Panathinaikos OPAP)
Age / Country: 26 / Greece
EuroLeague Career: 2 seasons – 62 games
2018-19 Stats: 29 games, 4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 3.9 PIR
Top Performance: 16 points, 4 rebounds versus Herbalife Gran Canaria (Round 24)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo isn’t an offensive threat similar to Tony Crocker, but can contribute in many other areas with his monstrous athletic skills. The past couple of seasons he proved he can be effective in EuroLeague especially in defense. His ability to guard in multiple positions can be an asset for any side.
Arturas Milaknis (Zalgiris Kaunas)
Age / Country: 32 / Lithuania
EuroLeague Career: 9 seasons – 181 games
2018-19 Stats: 34 games, 7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 5.3 PIR
Top Performance: 17 points versus FC Barcelona Lassa (Round 22)
Coming off a tough EuroLeague campaign, Arturas Milaknis rolls into free agency as a proven three-point threat within Zalgiris Kaunas’ demanding shooting environment. It remains to be seen if he will celebrate his tenth EuroLeague season with Zalgiris or if he will be picked up by another club.
James Anderson (Anadolu Efes) *
Age / Country: 30 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 4 seasons – 126 games
2018-19 Stats: 37 games, 4.8 points, 2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 4.7 PIR
Top Performance: 10 points, 5 rebounds versus Fenerbahce Beko (Final Four Semifinal)
Anadolu Efes exceeded expectations, but James Anderson’s 2018-19 EuroLeague scoring showing was the worst of his career with only 4.8 points per contest to show. However, he was particularly efficient on the court. His team didn’t really need his offensive touch, so he adapted into a secondary role displaying his ability to help in various areas when needed.
* His contract with Anadolu Efes includes an option for the 2019-20 season.
Vladimir Micov (AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan)
Age / Country: 34 / Serbia
EuroLeague Career: 8 seasons – 190 games
2018-19 Stats: 30 games, 13.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 13.7 PIR
Top Performance: 24 points, 4 assists versus CSKA Moscow (Round 5)
Vladimir Micov’s eighth EuroLeague campaign was productive with a career-high 13.9 points per match. Incorporated into the high-tempo game of AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan, he helped his side remain into the Playoffs race until the final round of the Regular Season. The Italian club struggled whenever he had an off-night, which proves how important his contribution is after all.
Vladimir Lucic (FC Bayern Munich)
Age / Country: 29 / Serbia
EuroLeague Career: 6 seasons – 73 games
2018-19 Stats: 29 games, 10 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 12.1 PIR
Top Performance: 15 points, 5 rebounds versus Olympiacos (Round 8)
Another Serbian of our Top 10 is Vladimir Lucic, who is coming off a solid campaign for FC Bayern Munich, one of the best of his EuroLeague career. He managed to improve in various areas he previously struggled to increase his effectiveness. Entering the most mature period of his career, he can definitely be a valuable asset for any top European team.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas (AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan)
Age / Country: 29 / Lithuania
EuroLeague Career: 8 seasons – 158 games
2018-19 Stats: 30 games, 8.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 8.8 PIR
Top Performance: 19 points, 8 rebounds versus Darussafaka Tekfen (Round 22)
Mindaugas Kuzminskas didn’t meet expectations upon returning from the NBA to EuroLeague and joining AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan. However, the Lithuanian forward is still able to help or even lead any team of Europe’s premier competition both in offense and defense. As long as he creates the right situation this summer to further his career, he will get back on track.
Axel Toupane (Olympiacos)
Age / Country: 26 / France
EuroLeague Career: 3 seasons – 70 games
2018-19 Stats: 26 games, 4.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 3.3 PIR
Top Performance: 19 points, 2 rebounds versus Anadolu Efes (Round 12)
Axel Toupane provides everything any head coach wants from the wing. He never really adapted into Olympiacos’ system during his 2018-19 campaign, but periodically displayed his shooting touch and his all-around fruitfulness. He already left the Reds and is searching for his next team.
Jeffery Taylor (Real Madrid)
Age / Country: 30 / Sweden
EuroLeague Career: 4 seasons – 123 games
2018-19 Stats: 34 games, 5.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 4.9 PIR
Top Performance: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists versus Panathinaikos OPAP (Playoffs Game 3)
Every team with EuroLeague Championship aspirations needs a player similar to Jeffery Taylor. This summer, he will be available in free agency if Real Madrid doesn’t retain his services for the 2019-20 season. If early reports on his contract extension aren’t confirmed, the Swedish forward will be a hot summer target for many clubs that want to add a top player ready to help from the bench.