BasketNews lists the Top 8 players who switched teams within the league this offseason, including Brandon Davies, Shabazz Napier, and Ignas Brazdeikis.
The EuroLeague action starts this week, and the clubs welcome the 2023-24 season with significant changes. And we don't even need to talk about new players arriving -- many transfers happened within the league.
The EuroLeague offseason has not been so hot for a long time -- the league stars changed teams one after another, and the fans will have to get used to the new colors of the most prominent players' switched jerseys.
BasketNews staff writer Jonas Leksas has ranked the Top 8 notable player transfers within the league, taking into account the players' past and future influence on teams, contract value, and hype.
This is a subjective rating, so we invite you to express your opinion in the comments below.
8. Brandon Davies
Davies' move to Valencia Basket unfolded without the fanfare one might expect, likely influenced by his underwhelming performance last season in Milan. However, the season for the entire Emporio Armani team wasn't any better.
In the previous EuroLeague season, the center averaged 10.2 points and 11.5 PIR in 18 minutes of play.
While these numbers may seem decent, they fall short when considering the high expectations placed on Davies. His on-court decisions often raised eyebrows, adding an unpredictability to his game.
Not too long ago, Davies was regarded as one of the EuroLeague's top three centers. However, his form in the last year at FC Barcelona, following the previous season in Milan, cast doubt on this reputable status.
Valencia's acquisition of Davies is undoubtedly a high-profile move, and naturally, hefty expectations accompany it. The parallels drawn between Davies' role in Valencia and his time at Zalgiris Kaunas suggest a pivotal position within the Spanish team.
While the pre-season stats are positive, the crucial challenge lies in maintaining consistency throughout the year -- an element where Davies has struggled in recent times. At 32 years old, Davies stands at a point where another lackluster season could jeopardize his place among the EuroLeague elite centers.
7. Shabazz Napier
Similarly to Davies, the Shabazz Napier transfer to Crvena Zvezda might not have garnered a high level of enthusiasm, especially when assessed at the player level. This feeling could be attributed to Facundo Campazzo's departure, leaving big shoes to fill for Napier.
Although Napier has technically been a part of the EuroLeague competition for two seasons, his first year saw him sitting out without a single appearance. He wore the Milan jersey in the second season, participating in 12 games.
However, these limited appearances were sufficient to establish Shabazz as a star figure in the EuroLeague. He averaged 15.0 points, 3.9 assists, and 16.4 PIR per game in 24 minutes.
Crvena Zvezda have set their sights on reaching the EuroLeague Final Four, and the performance of their key offensive player is pivotal to this ambition.
Shabazz, once endorsed by LeBron James, remains one of the league's most fascinating players at the age of 32. The key factor, however, hinges on his ability to stay healthy throughout the season.
A season-long display of Shabazz could propel Crvena Zvezda towards their loud goal.
6. Ignas Brazdeikis
Brazdeikis' unexpected move to Olympiacos Piraeus just before the start of the new season sent
