Credit: Regina Hoffmann/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
Credit Regina Hoffmann/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Zalgiris Kaunas made an offer to one of the key LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne players Chris Jones, sources tell BasketNews.

Chris Jones

Chris  Jones
Chris  Jones
MIN: 27.53
PTS: 13.1 (56.3%)
REB: 3.16
As: 3.61
ST: 1.45
BL: 0.1
TO: 1.94
GM: 31

ASVEL also offered an extension, but it won't be easy to keep a 29-year-old guard for the French side.

Numerous EuroLeague teams have Jones on their shortlist, and the playmaker is in no rush to decide on his future.

However, Zalgiris show a strong interest in bringing Jones as a primary playmaker for the next season.

He's also in the process of acquiring European citizenship this summer, sources tell BasketNews.

Jones averaged 13.1 points (2FG: 53.7%; 3FG: 39%), 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 14.7 PIR in EuroLeague this season.

A 1.88 m guard played his highest-scoring game in a win against Fenerbahce Istanbul (27 PTS, 30 PIR).

In the first part of the season, Jones' versatility next to Elie Okobo boosted ASVEL among the Top 8 EuroLeague teams.

American stayed consistent in the domestic league, where he averaged 14 points (2FG: 60.3%; 3FG: 39.8%), 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

He started his pro career in Mongolia (2015-16) before heading to Switzerland and Belgium.

Jones jumped to the EuroLeague after the season in Bursaspor, where he posted 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.9 steals in the Turkish league (2019-20).

In his rookie EuroLeague campaign with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2020-21, Jones scored 7 points and dished 2.8 assists on average.

Zalgiris Kaunas

Position Player Status
PG Mantas Kalnietis Signed until 2023
PG Lukas Lekavicius Signed until 2025
SG Karolis Lukosiunas Signed until 2022 +1
SG Tomas Dimsa Signed until 2022 +1
SF Niels Giffey Signed until 2022 +1
SF/PF Edgaras Ulanovas
Signed until 2024
PF Tyler Cavanaugh Signed until 2023 +1
C Joffrey Lauvergne Signed until 2022 +1
C Josh Nebo Signed until 2022 +1
C Marek Blazevic Signed until 2022 +1
Coach Kazys Maksvytis (story)
Expired contract Tai Webster, Janis Strelnieks, Arturas Milaknis, Paulius Jankunas (retiring), Regimantas Miniotas
Rumored to leave Joffrey Lauvergne, Josh Nebo (story), Niels Giffey, Janis Strelnieks, Tai Webster, Paulius Jankunas (retiring)
Interested Chris Jones, Marius Grigonis, Eigirdas Zukauskas, Arturas Gudaitis, Donatas Motiejunas, Kyle Allman, Caleb Homesley
Donatas Urbonas
Donatas Urbonas
Senior Staff Writer
Donatas Urbonas is an award-winning Lithuanian basketball journalist, recognized as the best sports journalist in Lithuania in 2016 and the top basketball journalist in 2018. A Vilnius University journalism graduate, Urbonas has reported on major global sports events, including the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics, FIBA World Cups, EuroBaskets, NBA Summer League, and NBA Draft.
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