BasketNews expert Augustas Suliauskas ranks the Top 5 former NBA players who joined the EuroLeague this season, evaluating multiple factors: per game averages, impact on the team's offensive and defensive ratings, player's role on the team, defensive eye-test, and team's place in the standings at the moment.
The 2023-24 EuroLeague season is seeing many former NBA players choosing a solid role in Europe over a very limited one in the NBA.
It all started when Willy Hernangomez signed with FC Barcelona on July 12th. But it did not get many fans excited - the comeback of the Spanish center was discussed heavily prior. On top of that, it's nothing new to see Europeans returning after a few years in the States.
But when former NBA All-Star guard Kemba Walker signed with AS Monaco on July 21st, everybody in the Old Continent started buzzing. Everyone was buzzing because a huge name chose Europe when nobody in the NBA could offer him a real role on the team.
Before, big names avoided such a move. But it seems that Kemba moved the needle in the right direction. Jabari Parker, who averaged 20 points per game for the Milwaukee Bucks just 6 years ago, inked a deal with Barca on August 6th.
Then, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade signed PJ Dozier and an 8-year NBA veteran, Frank Kaminsky, a week later, and last but not least - 2019 NBA champion Serge Ibaka was the final addition to the FC Bayern Munich roster on September 16th.
The NBA to Europe direction did not close when the season started, either. Kendrick Nunn signed with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Edmond Sumner chose Zalgiris Kaunas, while Rodney McGruder is now in Milan.
Which five players had the best transition period and shone the brightest in their new roles?
This ranking is based on a combination of multiple factors: per game averages, impact on the team's offensive and defensive ratings, player's role on the team, defensive eye-test, and team's place in the standings at the moment.
5. Willy Hernangomez | Barcelona | Center
17 MIN | 11.6 PTS | 4.9 REB | 56% FG
NET -9.7 | ON-OFF -26.8
EuroBasket 2022 champion Willy Hernangomez starts off this list. Despite Barca's center ranking 3rd in points per game among former NBA players who joined the EuroLeague this season, I can't rank him any higher than 5th.
The reason? His
