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The French forward has since signed with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, bringing an end to his second NBA stint after spending time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Knicks, and Chicago Bulls. Yabusele's return to the league started positively in Philadelphia, but his situation changed after joining New York. He appeared in 41 games for the Knicks, averaging only nine minutes and failing to make a single start. "I spoke with my wife, my agents, and my mentor," Yabusele told AS about his decision to leave. "It was an important decision. I didn't make it easily. It took a long time, and there were many questions." "I thought about French teammates who had gone through the same thing and stayed there for years without playing. I can't do that. I was the one who decided to leave, not them. I'd rather be the one making that decision."
Daniel Theis is in advanced talks to join Maccabi Tel Aviv, per BasketNews sources.
EuroLeague and the NBA have continued exploring whether their competing projects can be combined, but Chus Bueno acknowledged that the two sides currently have significantly different visions. Speaking on the StreamTime Sports Podcast, Bueno explained that both organizations would need to alter their proposed models before a partnership could become realistic. "I think that if I had come earlier, we would not have today two models that are very different. So let's be honest, they have a model that does not match our model, or our model does not match their model; we both have to make changes," Bueno said.
Despite the distance between the sides, Bueno did not rule out an eventual partnership. However, he stressed that both EuroLeague and the NBA would need to make concessions. The EuroLeague executive rejected a potential scenario in which the existing competition would be expected to abandon its project and simply join the NBA's proposed franchise model. "We have to both be generous in the approach. If they're saying 'Okay, come to me and shut it down and come to my franchise model,' then it's not our work. So we both have to be flexible," Bueno said.
Sergio Llull will continue his historic career with Real Madrid for at least one more season. The club officially announced that the veteran guard has signed a contract extension through the end of the 2026-27 campaign. Llull joined Real Madrid in 2007 and is now set to enter his 20th season with the Spanish powerhouse.
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Chus Bueno also addressed the NBA’s plans in Europe, revealing why he still believes cooperation would be a better outcome than direct competition between two rival leagues. According to Bueno, the franchise model is designed to provide long-term stability while opening the door to new strategic markets and investors. “When we scale our business, we want to do more, but also do it better. Not just scale for the sake of scaling, but scale the right way. When we think about franchises, maybe it makes sense to go to London, to Rome, to Berlin. Maybe it makes sense to rescue some big basketball IPs. Maybe they want to become franchises, so we offer them that opportunity. They’re going to have investors behind them because they’ll see certainty, a long-term project, and the chance to play against the best teams in Europe.”
Chus Bueno then outlined what he believes an NBA-EuroLeague partnership could look like in practice. “For me, it would be easier if we have the 13 teams, and then the five or six markets that they’re talking about. Then we have these 13 plus these five or six markets. I think that having all these teams together and going to the market to find somebody else would be better. The money that will be raised could compensate the people that have spent 26 years building this business, and we could also allocate some money for working capital and rebranding the partnership. I think that would be the normal way to do it in a partnership.”
Panathinaikos star Kendrick Nunn revealed that Miami Heat fans continue to ask him about a possible return to South Beach, even though he remains under contract with the Greek club. The American guard shared a post on X describing his daily encounters with Heat supporters. “Bump into at LEAST 3-5 people a day asking me when I’m coming back! Miami Heat, the city is talking!”
Lonnie Walker could be on the move again just one year after joining Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to Spanish journalist Chema de Lucas, Real Madrid are negotiating a deal to sign the former NBA guard.
FC Barcelona continue to strengthen their perimeter rotation ahead of the 2026-27 season. The club officially announced the signing of former NBA guard Tyrese Martin to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old is set to begin the first European chapter of his professional career after spending the past several seasons between the NBA and the G League. Martin split the 2025-26 NBA season between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, appearing in 46 games and averaging 6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
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Real Madrid are reportedly moving closer to another frontcourt addition ahead of the upcoming season. According to El Espanol, the Spanish powerhouse are set to sign 27-year-old French center Olivier Sarr. Sarr, the older brother of Washington Wizards big man Alex, has spent his entire professional career moving between the NBA and the G League.
BasketNews' Donatas Urbonas reported that Hezonja's next team is expected to be in the NBA despite recent speculation in Europe regarding his future. According to BasketNews sources, there is confidence that the Croatian forward fulfilled all the necessary conditions to activate the NBA exit clause in his long-term Real Madrid contract before Monday's deadline, clearing the way for his departure.
Despite reports linking Hezonja with other EuroLeague clubs, BasketNews sources maintain that his future lies in the NBA. Hezonja reportedly rejected offers from three EuroLeague teams to sign conditional contracts that would have become active only if his NBA return ended prematurely. The 31-year-old was confident enough in his ability to establish himself in the league that he viewed such negotiations as unnecessary. Returning to the NBA has been Hezonja's goal for several years, which is why he negotiated an NBA exit clause into his Real Madrid contract.
FC Barcelona announced another backcourt addition ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Spanish club officially confirmed the signing of former NBA guard Stanley Umude.