The start of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season is just over two months away, and teams are continuing to make the final adjustments to their rosters ahead of what will be a thrilling campaign. In the last seven days, some new scorers have been added to the competition, in addition to a player who made a previous All-EuroLeague First Team, while there has also been a flurry of big men who have been signed. Here are some of the most eye-catching deals between July 25 and July 31.
The week in EuroLeague signings
Milan continues to strengthen
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has made six additions to its roster during this off-season, with two playing joining the club in the last week. On Wednesday, 2021 All-EuroLeague First Team selection Kevin Pangos completed his move to Milan, so he will make his return to the EuroLeague in 2022-23 after not featuring in the competition last season. Then, on Friday, Milan secured the signature of forward Deshaun Thomas, who is coming off an impressive EuroLeague campaign with FC Bayern Munich. Milan heads into next season as one of the candidates to win it all.
Adding offensive weapons
FC Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade have all brought in offensive-minded guards this week. First, Bayern inked Cassius Winston before Jaylen Adams joined Zvezda and Carsen Edwards signed for Fenerbahce. Neither of the three players have played in the EuroLeague before, but there are high hopes about how they will perform in Europe next season. In particular, Edwards and Adams were able to shine in the G League and the Australian League, respectively, as they averaged more than 20 points a game. All three will be looking to make an early impression for their new teams when the EuroLeague season gets underway.
The importance of big men
These past seven days have seen several big men get signed by teams in the EuroLeague. One of the standout additions is Zalgiris Kaunas's pickup of Kevarrius Hayes, who returns to the EuroLeague after starring in the 7DAYS EuroCup with Frutti Extra Bursaspor last season. Some other teams have added depth at the center position, with Mike Tobey joining FC Barcelona and Petr Cornelie agreeing to terms with Real Madrid. Meanwhile, ALBA Berlin has placed its faith in Yannick Wetzell, who spent the 2021-22 campaign with the New Zealand Breakers of Australia and Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz of Spain. Their goal is to protect the paint as much as possible next season.
Heading home
Three players have returned to their home country or the country they represent this week, and two of them have joined the same team: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. After wrapping up the signing of former France youth international Yves Pons on Tuesday, ASVEL went out and secured the signature of French-born center Joffrey Lauvergne three days later. They were playing with Memphis of the G League and Zalgiris, respectively. Another player who has decided to head home is Georgios Kalaitzakis, who has rejoined his twin brother at Panathinaikos OPAP Athens. He spent the 2021-22 season split between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City of the NBA, as well as Wisconsin and Oklahoma City of the G League. Let's see if home comforts help them play at their best in the 2022-23 campaign.