No club has made more noise this summer than Dubai. They've acquired Toko Shengelia by paying his buyout clause to Barcelona, Elie Okobo and Jaron Blossomgame from Monaco amid its financial collapse, and Thomas Walkup from Olympiacos after a standoff that resulted in EuroLeague opening a disciplinary case against them. And they've installed Xavi Pascual on the bench, bringing him away from Barcelona. All of this in their second season in the competition.
The Starting Point
The debut was more than respectable. Dubai closed their first EuroLeague season in eleventh place with an even 19-19 record, on the brink of the play-in. For a newly arrived club with no established history or fan base, competing on equal terms in their inaugural year was a strong endorsement.
That result, however, wasn't enough for the project's ambitions. Hence the summer they've had.
The Case That Defined the Market
The Walkup operation deserves its own chapter because it explains how Dubai assembled this roster. The club's general manager, Dejan Kamenjasevic, publicly acknowledged in August his interest in a player with an active contract at Olympiacos. The Greek club responded with a formal letter accusing improper approach, EuroLeague opened a disciplinary proceeding, and Piraeus maintained for weeks that they had no intention of letting him leave.
Ten days later there was an agreement, a multi-year contract, and mutual thanks in the official statement. The disciplinary case, as far as is known, remains open.
What's Arriving
Six signings, all with proven EuroLeague-level credentials.
Toko Shengelia is the marquee name: captain of Georgia, four-time All-EuroLeague selection, and a continental reference point for a decade. He left Barcelona by paying approximately one million euros in buyout clause.
Thomas Walkup brings what Olympiacos lost: elite defense—he was Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24—and playmaking. He's also the second all-time assists leader in the Greek club's history.
From Monaco come Elie Okobo and Jaron Blossomgame, two key pieces from that team that reached the continental finals in 2025 and has disintegrated this summer due to financial troubles.
Completing the arrivals are Mamadi Diakite, presented as a defensive disruptor following his stint at Baskonia, and Davion Mintz, who arrives from Wurzburg.
Those Staying
The continuity core is extensive and high-quality. Dzanan Musa, Klemen Prepelic, Dwayne Bacon, Davis Bertans, Justin Anderson, Nemanja Dangubic, and Awudu Abass remain in perimeter positions, while Filip Petrusev, Mfiondu Kabengele, Mam Jaiteh, and Kenan Kamenjas anchor the paint. Also McKinley Wright, renewed after a solid first year.
The Keys
Too many players for one rotation. It's the most obvious problem. The roster has twenty names and practically all of them could start for mid-table teams. Distributing minutes without fracturing the locker room is Pascual's first job, and it's no small task when high salaries have been paid to nearly everyone.
Pascual under real pressure. The Catalan coach arrives after an uneven spell at Barcelona and finds himself with the most expensive roster he's ever managed. With this investment, failing to make the playoffs would be a failure.
External noise. Dubai has become the continent's most disliked club, and that has sporting consequences: every visiting arena will be hostile and every referee decision will be viewed with suspicion. Managing that is part of the job.
The disciplinary case. It remains unresolved and nobody knows what sanction it might carry. It's the unknown hanging over the start of the season.
The Forecast
By roster quality, Dubai is among the six or seven best teams in the competition and should contend for the playoffs without question. They have talent, depth, experience, and a coach who already knows what it takes to win in Europe.
The doubt isn't about level, it's about construction. Assembling fifteen good players doesn't equal having a team, and Dubai has spent two summers buying without yet proving it knows how to put it all together.
Full Roster
Point Guards and Shooting Guards: McKinley Wright (1.80m), Davion Mintz (1.91m), Elie Okobo (1.91m), Klemen Prepelic (1.92m), Kosta Kondic (1.93m), Thomas Walkup (1.93m)
Small Forwards: Justin Anderson (1.98m), Awudu Abass (2.00m), Jaron Blossomgame (2.00m), Dwayne Bacon (2.04m), Nemanja Dangubic (2.04m), Dzanan Musa (2.06m), Toko Shengelia (2.06m)
Power Forwards and Centers: Kenan Kamenjas (2.07m), Mfiondu Kabengele (2.08m), Mam Jaiteh (2.08m), Mamadi Diakite (2.10m), Davis Bertans (2.10m), Filip Petrusev (2.11m)