Zalgiris Kaunas's new head coach, Kazys Maksvytis, will be keen to channel the spirit of the team from the 2018-19 season, when Saras Jasikevicius last guided it to the postseason. Though that is never an easy task, the team upgraded its roster across the board while the fans at Zalgirio Arena are known for creating an electric atmosphere. Together, those things should spur the players on in what they hope will be a magical campaign.
BACKCOURT
Lukas Lekavicius was one of Zalgiris's most reliable players last season and the playmaker with the trademark floater should continue to feature in a big role, though the backcourt is as packed with talent as ever. Keenan Evans joined from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, where he made his EuroLeague debut last season. One of the biggest tasks for Coach Maksvytis is to get these two combo-guards in synch as quickly as possible. Veteran point guard Mantas Kalnietis, who averaged 5.9 points in the EuroLeague last season, will also figure in the mix and should provide a calming voice in the dressing room following the retirement of captain Paulius Jankunas. Zalgiris also brought home several Lithuanian players from abroad. Dovydas Giedraitis arrives from Estudiantes Madrid of Spain, although he spent last season on loan at Lietkabelis Panevezys of Lithuania, with which he played in the 7DAYS EuroCup. Tomas Dimsa returns to Zalgiris, where he came through the youth ranks before spending two seasons on the first team. Last year he played with Treviso in the Italian League. Small forward Ignas Brazdeikis, a 23-year-old who was born in Kaunas but moved to Canada at a young age, is poised to play professionally in Europe for the first time and there are high hopes for the Lithuania international. Rounding out Zalgiris's backcourt options is young shooting guard Liutauras Lelevicius and Karolis Lukosiunas, who will be looking to build on his output from last season when he cracked the rotation for the first time in his young career.