The jarring defeat, 81:63 to Panathinaikos, caused even the most optimistic within Maccabi Tel Aviv to come to terms with the end of the Euroleague campaign for the 2020/21 season. This time, the doctrine of “fighting to the end” did not hold, in what was one of the weakest games of the Yellows this season, when only one player scored in double digits – again Scotty Wilbkin, and again the team lost when he led the scoring list.
“We were not as aggressive as we should have been for 40 minutes,” he said Ante Žižić. “The second and third quarters were good, but we were not able to continue it to the last quarter. It is a hard loss, but we will continue to fight proudly in every game.”
Despite the results, Maccabi Tel Aviv make it clear that the status of Yannis Sapropoulos is as stable as a rock. “His replacement is not even close to being on the agenda,” said a source at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
With the face for next season
Following the disappointing campaign in Europe, the staff at Maccabi is expected to go through no small shock ahead of next season. Elijah Bryant will try his luck in the NBA and is not expected to continue, as will Tyler Dorsey, who is attracting full interest in a few Euroleague teams. The disappointing Dragon Bender will not continue either, and there are those in the club who are also calling for a release from Ante Žižić’s contract, with the aim of building an athletic and threatening front line, similar to the successful experience with Quincy Acey and Tariq Black.
Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv have marked Devin Boker from Moscow’s elimination as one of the leading candidates and even submitted a bid for him, but are expected to face a stubborn battle on the part of other Euroleague teams. The club also follows Gershon Yavosla from Willerban.
While some players are expected to leave, Maccabi Tel Aviv intend to exercise the option on Chris Jones, and are debating how to deal with each other on Othello Hunter, who is highly regarded. Omri Caspi holds a contract for next season and the team environment estimates that the club will try to break free from the contract, but the move will be implemented only mutually and with full agreement on both sides.
Another plan at the club is to sign TJ Leaf at position number 4. The player has decided to stay in the United States until the end of the season, and he is still being paid by Oklahoma City, but is expected to leave for Europe next season. Angelo Cloiaro holds a contract for another season and will remain, as will John Dibertolomeo and Scotty Wilbkin.
The biggest question mark is about Yuval Sussman. The guard will become a free agent, but the Yellows will be able to compare any offer he receives by August. Sussman is attracting a lot of interest from Oded Katash’s Panathinaikos, who appreciates him highly, and it is currently estimated that Sussman will leave the Yellows.
