Baskonia Adds Zacharie Perrin to Interior Options While Deciding on Alex Len

Baskonia remains without a finalized frontcourt solution one week before the Liga Endesa season begins. While evaluating Alex Len's incorporation, the club has reportedly focused on Zacharie Perrin, center for iLerna Lleida, according to Kiroleros. No confirmed negotiations.

The detail complicating the deal

The relevant aspect of the note is the fine print in the player's contract. Perrin would have an exit clause to the EuroLeague that activates in February, meaning his departure at this moment would be considerably more expensive for the interested club.

In other words: if Baskonia wants to sign him now, they'll have to pay more than it would cost in the middle of winter. And with the season about to start, waiting five months doesn't solve the immediate problem.

Who is Perrin

The French center has been one of Lleida's key interior references in preseason. He scored 16 points in the friendly against Barcelona in Encamp and was one of the standouts for Gerard Encuentra's team in the Lliga Catalana final, where the squad led by nine points against the blaugrana before giving way in the final quarter.

In the latest friendly against Girona, he added 8 points and 4 rebounds for a rating of 12 in the first half, though he disappeared after halftime.

A problem lasting all summer

The focus on Perrin is not a market whim. Baskonia lost Khalifa Diop earlier this month when the Cleveland Cavaliers exercised their draft rights four years after selecting him, and since then has not found a replacement.

The consequences have been visible on the court. In the EncestaRías semifinal against Alba Berlin, the game ended without a single available center due to the eliminations of Thierry Henry and Kenneth Faried. In the Euskal Kopa, they came up short again there against Bilbao. And they traveled to the Supercopa without Alex Len, who is dealing with physical discomfort.

Added to that is the fact that the club already explored the situation of Michael Ruzic in case an NCAA eligibility issue prevents him from joining LSU.