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Battersea Power Station’s undeveloped estate is being considered as a potential arena site for a London team in the NBA’s planned European competition, sources with knowledge of discussions told The Athletic. The NBA is targeting autumn 2027 for the launch of a 16-team competition in Europe, with London among 12 cities expected to host permanent franchises.
Former Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford is nearing a move to Europe, sources tell BasketNews. According to sources, the 25-year-old combo forward is in advanced negotiations with Valencia Basket. Watford became a free agent earlier this offseason after the 76ers declined the team option on the second year of his contract.
The NBA Europe basketball league planned by the NBA and FIBA could generate $2.2 billion in economic activity in Istanbul between 2027 and 2036, according to projections included in a report by The Sports Consultancy. Istanbul is among 12 European cities expected to host teams with permanent licenses in the new competition, alongside Rome, Milan, London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich and Athens.
Historic NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion and two-time NBA G League MVP Mac McClung is drawing serious interest from EuroLeague clubs and teams across Europe, BasketNews sources tell. According to sources, the 27-year-old guard is increasingly likely to continue his career in Europe after spending the past several seasons pursuing a full-time NBA opportunity. Multiple EuroLeague clubs have expressed interest in signing McClung, per BasketNews sources.
Now that LeBron James has chosen to play in Philadelphia for the Sixers , the NBA free agent market is nearing its end. One player who has stirred up a storm in Europe is directly affected by this situation: Croatian Mario Hezonja . His agent has hinted on social media that his client could be headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers . Misko Raznatovic, who has been handling Hezonja's affairs since last February, wrote the following in X: “The Republic of Dubrovnik and its citizens have always been known for their commercial spirit. Centuries have passed, things have changed, and now that mentality has somehow become something chivalrous, equestrian...” He is referring to Dubrovnik , Croatia, the player's hometown, an identity already linked to knights and horsemanship . This allusion is interpreted as a nod to the Cavaliers (knights or horsemen).
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Guerschon Yabusele: "I was just calling because I've been thinking about the NBA offer I received. Honestly, I've got to admit, it's less than I expected. Especially considering all the risks I've taken over the years. I really think making a big return to Europe would be pretty exciting. The Panathinaikos offer really speaks to me. So, I think it's time to come back to Europe. I'm ready. I'm all in. It's a club with huge ambitions. They're on a mission too. So I think it really fits who I am, and I believe we can achieve great things together. We'll talk more about it later, but I just wanted to leave you a message to let you know I'm ready to come back."
After being arrested in 2013 for driving under the influence of drugs and losing much of his fitness, Odom tried to relaunch his career in Europe, although the experience lasted only a few weeks. Hanga revealed a striking scene from one of the team's away games: " Someone told me that when we went to play in Valencia, he (Odom) didn't like the TV in the room, so he went to buy a bigger one at MediaMarkt and then left it there . He was a millionaire, of course."
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.”
The Spurs will return to Europe next January, with two regular season games relocated to Paris on the 14th, and then to Manchester, England, on the 17th, against the New Orleans Pelicans. Was this a request from you, or a decision made by the NBA? RC Buford: We are an international program and have always been committed to growing and getting closer to our fans around the world. Playing in Paris again obviously means something to Victor, but we didn't request it. I think the League recognized the impact he had when he played in Paris during the 2024 Olympics and then at the Paris Games in January 2025. The French market is different from the US market, but we have been incredibly well served so far, both by our fans and our commercial partners. And we'll be back in Paris at the end of the month to meet people there and inaugurate a new basketball court
After spending 14 years in the NBA, Jonas Valanciunas is returning to Europe, officially joining the Lithuanian and EuroLeague team Zalgiris Kaunas. Per Zalgiris' official announcement, Valanciunas signed a 2-year deal until the end of the 2027-28 season.
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Silver said the level of interest has exceeded expectations, with several cities stepping forward even without being invited to bid. “In terms of NBA Europe, yes, things are where I hoped they would be. Mark Tatum is here, who is overseeing the process. We’ve had tremendous interest from multiple cities in Europe, including cities that we didn’t even ask for bids from.” The commissioner added that the NBA is currently finalizing bids for an initial group of cities and noted that many European bidders will be in New York for Sunday’s World Cup final. “We discussed with our board today that we’re in the process of finalizing those bids, I think for an initial group of cities. Many of the people who are involved in those bids, the European bidders, are actually going to be in New York for the World Cup final on Sunday.”
Cedi Osman is reportedly close to completing a move to PAOK after Panathinaikos accepted a buyout offer, with the transfer expected to be finalized in the near future, according to Eurohoops sources. The former Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs forward returned to Europe in 2024 and quickly became an important part of Panathinaikos, playing a key role for the Greek powerhouse during his time with the club. According to the report, Panathinaikos will receive a €2 million buyout, while Osman is set to sign an unprecedented contract at the EuroCup level worth €9 million net over the next three seasons.
James, 35, is the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer and is qualified to discuss basketball on a global stage: the EuroLeague might merge with a new NBA Europe, or the two leagues could compete. So what does James think about NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s overseas work and its impact on the league that made James famous? “I would love for them to not make an individual league, but to somehow partner with the league that’s already there,” James told The Athletic. “Because I feel like they have some good things about it.”