Free agency is reaching fever pitch with everyone, from the players to the teams, actively engaged in finding the best possible fit. Some clubs are even close to finalizing rosters for the 2017-18 campaign. VTB-League.com breaks down the biggest moves in recent weeks.
CSKA
Arrived: Othello Hunter (Real Madrid), Sergio Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
As we pointed out in the first installment, CSKA clearly wasn’t done with free agency quite yet and many expected a bold signing or two from the Army Men. We didn’t have to wait long. Milos Teodosic’s departure to the NBA was a loss not only for the Red-Blues, but the entire League and European basketball.
Searching for a worthy replacement, CSKA needed more than just talent. In Sergio Rodriguez, the Army Men found both the talent and charisma to help ease the blow of Teodosic’s departure. The Spaniard is making the opposite journey–from the USA to Europe–and is guaranteed to elicit tremendous fan interest in Moscow and across the continent.
CSKA’s first-ever Spaniard spent last season in Philadelphia, where Sam Hinkie continues a lengthy rebuilding process. It’s a very different situation in Moscow, where the 2014 EuroLeague MVP, world and European champion will be asked to provide presence and composure in big moments. He’s an elite creator and solid three-point shooter and should give Itoudis a new look on offense by reducing the pressure on the backcourt.
One Kyle Hines is good, two are better. Everyone knew the Army Men needed to improve in the frontcourt and they obliged by bringing in Othello Hunter. He’s got a similar game and physique to Hines. Hunter loves defense and battling for rebounds as well as running the fast break and playing center when the team goes small.
Khimki
Arrived: Anthony Gill (Yesilgiresun), Tyler Honeycutt (Anadolu Efes), James Anderson (Darussafaka), Malcolm Thomas (Jilin)
After introducing Georgios Bartzokas, Khimki quickly signed four players with his approval. In the case of Anthony Gill, the Greek complimented his versatility, motivation and desire. We’d also note his ability to defend both frontcourt positions and play with his back to the basket, where he loves the baby hook.
The Yellow-Blues parted ways with all of its foreign forwards this offseason, led by Nobel Boungou-Colo. Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Thomas will be asked to fill the gap. Honeycutt, who spent two seasons in Moscow Region earlier in his career, and Thomas, who has NBA experience, will bring energy, help out on the glass and do a lot of the dirty work. Securing this much athleticism is huge for a team that will be fighting on two fronts with very few off days.
James Anderson can play three positions, put the ball in the basket and defend. He’s got a wealth of experience: from San Antonio and Philly to several successful EuroLeague seasons. Anderson should make the Yellow-Blues less dependent on Alexey Shved, while giving the Russian guard more freedom, something the team clearly lacked last season.
Zenit
Arrived: Drew Gordon (Lietuvos Rytas), Shane Whittington (Obradoiro), Nikita Barinov (Parma)
Zenit made a lot of noise after starting slow in free agency, focusing on the backcourt and wings. The team was due for frontcourt additions, after losing Kyle Landry and Aaron White. Drew Gordon can shoot from outside, but he’s not the same level of threat as his predecessors. The energetic big man has other qualities, though. He can finish fast-break opportunities and led the EuroCup last season in rebounding (9.6 per game). As the older brother of Slam Dunk Contest champion Aaron Gordon, he’s a pretty decent dunker himself.
Shane Whittington will be asked to stretch the defense. He wasn’t athletic or big enough to stick in the NBA, but that’s not a deal-breaker in Europe, where he put up solid numbers in Spain (11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 44.7% from the perimeter). Might he be a reincarnation of Kyle Landry? Time will tell.
Vasily Karasev continues to believe in Nikita Barinov, who’s a good fit for Zenit’s up-tempo approach. The 2016 VTB United League bronze medalist returns to St. Petersburg after a season with Parma.
Lokomotiv-Kuban
Arrived: Brian Qvale (Oldenburg)
“Stars don’t come to Krasnodar, you become one here.” That’s what Lokomotiv president Andrey Vedishchev said in a recent interview. Brian Qvale could follow the same path. The center has only starred for Oldenburg, where he led the Bundesliga in efficiency rating and was named the first and second all-league teams in two seasons. With Ian Vougioukas and Grigory Shukhovtsov no longer on the roster, the Krasnodar system needs the 211-cm American to shine at the next level.
UNICS
Arrived: Melvin Ejim (Venezia), Stephane Lasme (Texas, D-League), Jamar Smith (Unicaja), Martins Meiers (VEF), Pavel Sergeev (Zenit), Grigory Shukhovtsov (Lokomotiv-Kuban)
As expected, naming a new coach was a turning point in Kazan’s offseason. With the arrival of Dimitris Priftis and Keith Langford’s exit, UNICS looked to rebuild, filling out the roster in mere days.
Melvin Ejim will do his best to replace Langford. He’s not as dangerous of a shooter, but he was named to the All-Champions League squad (10.8 points per game) and won Italy’s playoff MVP, guiding Venezia to a championship.
Jamar Smith is another new addition who brings championship pedigree. The EuroCup champion (10.3 points per game) can shoot from outside and will be ready to help out Ejim. Between the two of them, they may be able to replace Langford’s offense.
Stephane Lasme has been an elite defender in the EuroLeague for years, but spent last season in the D-League. The 34-year-old big man will try to show he’s not over the hill yet. Priftis emphasizes defense and knows what he’s getting with the Gabon native.
Along with Langford, Artsiom Parakhouski is also gone. Martins Meiers will take over at center. He’s very familiar with the League after putting up solid numbers for VEF last season (13.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game). Pavel Sergeev and Grigory Shukhovtsov add depth.
In Kazan’s case, it’s important to note that all of the newcomers, including the head coach, signed one-year contracts. The 2017-18 season is an experiment for the club and Priftis and co. will have to work hard to avoid another rebuilding process next summer.
Enisey
Arrived: Zabian Dowdell (Cantu)
It’s been a quiet offseason so far in Siberia. Krasnoyarsk extended several players, including Sixth Man of the Year Suleiman Braimoh, but couldn’t hold onto Vladislav Trushkin, Frank Elegar and Tony Taylor. Enisey’s first addition is a familiar face: Zabian Dowdell played in Krasnoyarsk during the 2012-13 season. He’s capable in the pick-and-roll and getting big men involved and can drive to the basket with both hands. Expect him to score around 10 points per game despite lacking a solid jumper. The experienced guard should be an important piece in Oleg Okulov’s rotation.
Nizhny Novgorod
Arrived: Stevan Jelovac (Zaragoza), Alexander Zakharov (Irkut), Artem Komolov (Sakhalin)
Club legend Zoran Lukic is back, which means Nizhny could see another explosion of Russian talent. Artem Komolov doesn’t hide that he joined the Black-Whites so that he could play for Lukic. Alexander Zakharov will also get a second chance in Nizhny (he struggled at Khimki), coming off a summer with the Russia’s 3×3 national team. Playing at the 2017 Europe Cup, Zakharov led the team to the quarterfinals and won the shooting contest.
“I remember Nizhny Novgorod very well from the 2013-14 VTB United League playoffs.” Nizhny’s biggest acquisition in recent years, power forward Stevan Jelovac, will be expected to be a leader on the court. He knows first-hand what the team can do under Lukic. Playing for Lietuvos Rytas in 2014, his team came up short in the semifinals against the upstart Russians. The high-scoring forward returns to the League after three successful seasons with Zaragoza.
Avtodor
Arrived: Coty Clarke (UNICS), Micah Downs (Orleans), Maxim Sheleketov (Sakhalin), Fedor Klyuchnikov (Spartak-Primorye), Dramir Zibirov (Sakhalin)
Kazan’s Draymond Green, Coty Clarke, had big expectations entering last season in Kazan, but an early-season injury set him back for months. Saratov, meanwhile, lost Nick Minnerath over the summer, and hopes a healthy Clarke can replace the explosive American. He’ll have more opportunities in Saratov and a unique chance to chase big stats, much like Golden State’s Green.
“Good on offense, but also potentially the team’s best defender. He brings speed, three-point shooting, athleticism and an ability to play every position from 1 to 4.” That’s how new head coach Andrea Mazzon would describe the ideal basketball player as well as Micah Downs. A fan favorite in Saratov several seasons ago, he’s returned following stints in Italy and France.
According to the Italian, Avtodor’s motto this season will be “blood and tears.” After skimming the cream of the crop from the Superleague, Saratov expects 2017 MVP Fedor Klyuchnikov along with Maxim Sheleketo and Dramir Zibirov to demonstrate why they deserve a spot in the League.
Parma
Arrived: Codi Miller-McIntyre (Leuven), Yanick Moreira (Raptors 905), Andrejs Grazulis (Ventspils), Alexey Vzdykhalkin (Enisey)
Parma counts on picking up its first win in 2017-18 a bit quicker than it did last season, bringing in several foreign players from the outset. Codi Miller-McIntyre lit up Belgium to the tune of 17.2 points and 5.7 assists per game last season. New head coach Nikolajs Mazurs, meanwhile, has promised Perm will make the playoffs and hopes to get the same production from him in the VTB League. Yanick Moreira is also a key piece, arriving in Russia with the reputation of a poor man’s Frank Elegar. The D-League champion is also very athletic and hard-working and can knock down the mid-range jumper.
Mazurs knows first-hand what Andrejs Grazulis can do after coaching him to a silver medal at the 2013 EuroBasket U20 tournament and the partnership could work out very well for both parties.
Parma was 9th last season in three-point shooting. By bringing in Alexey Vzdykhalkin, Perm hopes to improve on that number in the upcoming campaign.
