Markus Howard Close to Leaving Kosner Baskonia for Zenit

Two seasons ago, Markus Howard was one of the most feared scorers in the EuroLeague. Today he is on the verge of leaving Kosner Baskonia. The shooting guard is in advanced negotiations to join Zenit Saint Petersburg. Dusko Ivanovic, the Russian team's head coach, admitted in a press conference that his club could be interested in the player.

Paolo Galbiati refused to clarify anything after Sunday's victory over Asisa Joventut. "You need to ask Félix Fernández and Juan Pedro Cazorla," he replied, referring to the club's sporting director and technical secretary. However, he left a compliment that sounds like a farewell: "Howard is among the three best players I have coached, and I have coached around 50,000."

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The numbers explain why his departure seems to be a matter of time. Howard has gone from being the team's offensive centerpiece to a player with limited rotation. In his first three European games this season, he averaged 4.7 points in just over ten minutes, and against Besiktas, Galbiati left him out of the roster for technical reasons. His absence was felt on a night when Baskonia made three three-pointers, but even that didn't change his situation. Last season he had already dropped to 10.4 points in 21 minutes, far from the 19.5 he posted in the EuroLeague 2023-24 season, his best campaign.

Added to the loss of playing time are the physical problems he has been dealing with for some time and doubts in his shooting, which have gradually removed him from the rotation. That's why Zenit appears as a logical exit for everyone: the player would regain minutes alongside a coach who knows him well, and the club would get rid of one of the highest-paid contracts on the roster. According to SoloBasket, his contract renewals made him one of the best-paid players in Baskonia's history. The economic terms of the operation have not been disclosed, but any compensation or contract sharing with Zenit would be significant relief for Vitoria's finances.