Every summer the transatlantic bridge between the NBA and EuroLeague functions in both directions, but rarely with this volume heading back. Nearly twenty players are leaving the North American league this year to join Europe's top competition, among notable returns and absolute debuts.
The Homecomers
The group with the biggest names is the returns. Jonas Valanciunas leaves Denver to return to Zalgiris, the club of his life, in the summer's most sentimental move. Guerschon Yabusele swaps Chicago for Panathinaikos and Dario Saric, Sacramento for Anadolu Efes: two European-made players returning in their prime.
A step down in name recognition, but not in pedigree, are those who already knew the continent: Garrison Mathews, who after seven years and 329 NBA games will play for Olimpia Milano, and MarJon Beauchamp, who arrives at Bayern from Philadelphia.
The Projects: The Spanish Route
The second group consists of future bets, and here Real Madrid has been the most active: Max Shulga arrives from the Boston Celtics after dominating the G League, and Olivier Sarr, from the Cleveland Cavaliers to cover Garuba's absence. Barcelona has responded with Tosan Evbuomwan and Tyrese Martin, Valencia has bet on Mo Gueye, and Baskonia on AJ Lawson.
The Rest of the Map
Israel has cast a wide net: Amir Coffey, coming from Phoenix, and Jacob Toppin strengthen the EuroCup champion Hapoel, and Keaton Wallace arrives at Maccabi from Atlanta. Red Star adds Patrick Baldwin Jr., Partizan adds Ethan Thompson, Paris adds Tyson Etienne and Virtus adds Wendell Moore Jr.
The complete list, team by team:
Anadolu Efes: Dario Saric (Sacramento Kings)
Barcelona: Tosan Evbuomwan (Charlotte Hornets) and Tyrese Martin (Philadelphia 76ers)
Baskonia: AJ Lawson (Toronto Raptors)
Bayern Munich: MarJon Beauchamp (Philadelphia 76ers)
Red Star: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Sacramento Kings)
Hapoel Tel Aviv: Amir Coffey (Phoenix Suns) and Jacob Toppin (Atlanta Hawks)
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Keaton Wallace (Atlanta Hawks)
Olimpia Milano: Garrison Mathews (Indiana Pacers)
Panathinaikos: Guerschon Yabusele (Chicago Bulls)
Paris Basketball: Tyson Etienne (Brooklyn Nets)
Partizan: Ethan Thompson (Indiana Pacers)
Real Madrid: Max Shulga (Boston Celtics) and Olivier Sarr (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Valencia Basket: Mo Gueye (Chicago Bulls)
Virtus Bologna: Wendell Moore Jr. (Detroit Pistons)
Zalgiris: Jonas Valanciunas (Denver Nuggets)