Rumors

Essengue’s first visit in North America after leaving his German team Ulm in the middle of the Finals was to Toronto. Some league sources say he’s the most likely pick here. Other sources think the Raptors are more likely to trade down, with teams like the Thunder and Grizzlies eager to move up.

Yahoo! Sports

Donatas Urbonas: EuroLeague Head Coaches Association issued their statement regarding the NBA Europe project: “We strongly believe that EuroLeague remains the best league in the world outside North America, that European basketball is on the rise even beyond its borders, and this should be respected with actions and not by words.”

x.com

Do you think the BAL gives the NBA a blueprint to develop what will one day be NBA Europe? Amadou Fall: This was a model. The NBA partnering with FIBA and the NBA deciding to operate a professional basketball league outside of North America, choosing to come and do in Africa first… Obviously, a lot of the parameters and regions were in place. You have incredible amount of talent and also you have people who are driven and passionate and committed that could come and lead the charges. But the key was that partnership with FIBA, really being able to get on the same page to understand that we have a common goal of growing the game at the highest level.

Andscape

Shams Charania: BREAKING: Bill Chisholm, managing partner at Symphony Technology Group, has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics from the Grousbeck family for a valuation for $6.1 billion, sources tell ESPN. This now is the largest sale for a sports franchise in North America.

x.com

Can there be an NBA equivalent to the 4 Nations? "I don't know what the format would be," said Lauri Markkanen, who sported Finland's 4 Nations jersey walking into a Jazz game last week. "Would it be the World against the US or North America? Is it going to be France? I think (the 4 Nations) is a really good format, and it's meaningful games for the break. You always want to fight for your country, so it'd be cool."

KSL.com

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he would “personally love to have” a franchise in Mexico City, the largest city in North America, as the league has begun the process internally to consider expansion. “I believe if we were to come here, we would be Mexico’s team, not just Mexico City,” Silver said Saturday before the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards played the NBA’s 33rd regular or preseason game in the Mexican capital, home to more than 20 million people.

New York Times

Osman, 29, talked to Eurohoops about the NBA, his career and a potential comeback, the differences between the league based in North America and Europe’s premier club continental competition, and more. “I do not think it is over for me, but you never know what happens,” he talked about his NBA career. “I am fully committed to Panathinaikos right now and I really want to win EuroLeague with this team,” continued the Turkish forward, “We have a great team, a very talented team that I believe can go for the back-to-back and I want to win all the cups that we can. I want to achieve everything here. So, that is why I am happy to be here and I am excited and hopefully it is going to be a great year for us.”

EuroHoops.net

If there is another city to jump into the mix, the most likely one to do so is Mexico City. The most populous city in North America, the capital of Mexico has been a consistent host of NBA regular-season games since 1992, and the 33 games played there since then are the most anywhere outside of the United States and Canada. Mexico City is home to the G League's Capitanes and would provide the league with both another international city as well as an opening into the Latin and South American markets. However, there are a lot of logistical hurdles to overcome for an NBA team to exist there full-time.

ESPN

Calderon has travelled extensively throughout his time in North America and has seen football become one of the most popular sports on the continent. “It’s grown a lot since I first arrived. I remember my first few years in Toronto. I used to go to watch Toronto FC and the stadium was distinctly smaller than it is today. Over time, they started expanding the stadiums and they improved them in every way possible. The league also benefited hugely from these changes."

FIFA.com

A veteran of 456 games in the NBA, Stanley Johnson is nearing a deal with Anadolu Efes, per Eurohoops sources. Johnson, 28, played for the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons in the league based in North America. After spending the 2023-24 campaign in the G League with the Stockton Kings, using his overseas options led to the Istanbul outfit. Reacting to parting ways with Will Clyburn, Efes has been scanning the market, focusing the search on forwards.

EuroHoops.net

There have been some interesting sports moves from ReachTV over the years. That free ad-supported streaming television service is in more than 500,000 hotel rooms and on more than 2,500 airport screens across North America, and also powers 24-hour live sports in-flight. And they’ve struck some notable individual sports deals, including a NFL one in 2021. Last year, they set up a NFL preview series with former players in 2023 (in partnership with Bleav), a multi-show deal with Brinx.tv, and an arrangement with LIV Golf for Friday streaming. Now, they’re teaming up with an unexpected source: the Harlem Globetrotters. Under a deal announced Thursday, various Globetrotters’ content will be heading to ReachTV. That will include player introductions, four-point shots, trick shots, and other highlights, some of which may have appeal as eye-catching content on some of the ReachTV screens. There will be opportunities for the Globetrotters to promote their tours here as well.

Awful Announcing

Takeshi Shibata: Former Raptors shooter Yuta Watanabe via his Instagram Live just revealed his plan to go back to Japan for the 2024-25 season, ending his 6-year NBA career. Best wishes for him! To my basketball friends in North America, please send your encouragements to Yuta!

Twitter

Kenny Smith -- the two-time NBA Champion and prominent broadcaster -- has been appointed as Head of Next Stars' Player Initiatives, North America for the NBL's Next Stars program, the league announced. The appointment of Smith will see him actively recruit, develop, and mentor new Next Stars players, with the NBL hoping his status and network within the American basketball ecosystem will bolster the program. Smith, 59, will also become a part owner of an NBL expansion team, set to be announced in the near future.

ESPN

Sasha Vezenkov weighed on himself and Vasilije Micic, also a former EuroLeague MVP, looking to prove themselves in the league based in North America. “They don’t care if you are Vezenkov or Micic, whoever comes from Europe. You are going to be the next Giannis. Some people have seen EuroLeague games more than others, but they do not care. You start from scratch. That is why I said adjusting in the first year is complicated,” he said, “You can feel on the wrong end, that you deserve more opportunities. It is tough. You either do it or not.”

EuroHoops.net