Kaunas Zalgiris Thread

[zalias]

in theory giedraitis shouldnt be a good defender because of his physical limitations, he's short, unathletic, mediocre wingspan, but he's still an amazing defender. even elite eurolegue guards like chris jones, shane larkin, kevin punter struggle against him. at first i thought trinchieri would just let him rot on the bench, but it seems like he realized how valuable giedraitis can be. i think its fair to say this is lekavicius last season on zalgiris, he's just too big of a liablity to get any playing time and not worth keeping for the 2-3 match ups he's actually good for in euroleague

[Dreamcatcher]

Lekavicius is an interesting case. He played decent minutes for years, he saved Zalgiris' ass many times and his height was basically just a flaw (just too much perceptible) that many players has. He is not a vet yet and his speed i think is still there. So what really happened?

[Straight forward]

Lekavicius is an interesting case. He played decent minutes for years, he saved Zalgiris' ass many times and his height was basically just a flaw (just too much perceptible) that many players has. He is not a vet yet and his speed i think is still there. So what really happened?

Soon he will be 30. He's not obviously declined physically yet, but he declined a bit and that's a lot for a player as Lekavicius who lives and dies with speed and energy. Players who are forced to use 120% energy for many years to survive PRO level tend to wash out sooner, Lekavicius became worn out, also with time his appetite for the game declined a bit likely. But the key moment he simply worn out a little bit already. Players who hustles a lot, who drives a lot tend to start declining earlier. Lekavicius was always a player who could barely breath after 18-19 minutes of game. So active at both ends, he endlessly had to fight bigger opponents defensively too. That's the reason. Besides, that 2021/2022 tragic season for Zalgiris was the last hit to Lekavicius I believe. He was so worn out that season. Not only he played too much, but all the aggression was coming from him basically that season. All other guards like old Kalnietis, Strelnieks and such were complete trash. Lekavicius also played in the NT 2022 which was a mistake and after that he never was the same. He worn out himself.

That's the reason why Butkevcius starting to become injury prone. He always hustled more than other players. That's the reason way to way beast Marciulionis knees collapsed being around 30.

[Dreamcatcher]

Evans is too much good. 24 pts, 0 turnovers, 35 EFF. The most important thing in summer for Zalgiris is to find out if Evans would like to stay and if so, to pay him an amount of money that he deserves.

Another thing is Trinchieri. He has a buy-out if i'm not mistaken, so some Efes who has suffered from a lack of a good coach may be interested. I think Zalgiris lost some pts in standings because of not bringing Italian earlier.

[Shawshank]

Evans price will start with 1,5million,wouldnt be suprised seeing some rich powerhouse putting 2million contract on his table.

Top 10 euroleague players salaries are about 2 million on average


Barcelona needs athletic guard all their guards is white and non athletic. Real could thing adding Evans too because Llull and Rodriguez playing on their last legs.

Zalgiris cant compete with such teams.

[zalias]

i think nba is also a realistic option for him, if i recall correctly he had some interest from nba teams before his injury,.but if i was zalgiris gm i'd try to compete with other teams at least a little, offer him a 2y/3m contract, if he refuses then whatever but you have to at least try. zalgiris budget is big enough at this point to have at least a single 7 figure contract

[Straight forward]

Wow, it was the best first two quarters of the season and overall electric impressive game. The end of second quarter was surreal, I didn't understand if I watch BB game or some kind of war drama movie. Impressive hustle outburts by Zalgiris, diving for the lose ball, incredible fight. Trinchieri changed Zalgiris. Now we know that Maksvytis is not even close. Kazys is not useless coach, but simply Italian is top tier EL coach.

[zalias]

this was obiviously going to happen https://x.com/AlessandroMagg4/status...342793504?s=20 , coming to zalgiris would be the smartest move he can possibly make. i also dont see jokubaitis playing for the knicks, thibodeau is a defense minded coach, who loves playing gritty basketball and i dont believe in Rokas ability of being a solid defender at an nba level, he simply lacks the athleticism required, if he did get a contract by the knicks he'd just rot on the bench imo.

Pakenas also mentioned zalgiris has interest in sirvydis, i'd love to see both sirvydis and jokubatiis playing in Kaunas.

[Straight forward]

this was obiviously going to happen https://x.com/AlessandroMagg4/status...342793504?s=20 , coming to zalgiris would be the smartest move he can possibly make. i also dont see jokubaitis playing for the knicks, thibodeau is a defense minded coach, who loves playing gritty basketball and i dont believe in Rokas ability of being a solid defender at an nba level, he simply lacks the athleticism required, if he did get a contract by the knicks he'd just rot on the bench imo.

Pakenas also mentioned zalgiris has interest in sirvydis, i'd love to see both sirvydis and jokubatiis playing in Kaunas.

So generally if Jokubaitis and Sirvydis signed, all three 2000 gen studs would be in Zalgiris. I don't think Zalgiris is looking to part any ways with perimeter D genius Giedraitis. This would be the most talented Lithuanian Zalgiris core in decades assuming Ulanovas and Butkevicius still has something to other as well. This would specially be huge if 2000 studs stayed in Zalgiris for 2025/2026 season too. I personally don't think other big teams won't be hooking Jokubaitis. He may choose a role, not the money though. So Zalgiris is legitimate chance now.

[Dreamcatcher]

Is Evans the best foreigner in Zalgiris' history? He doesn't start well, he's defended by the rival team, but you know that he will anyway end up with approximately 20 pts/eff. Too bad i don't remember Edney, but i don't think he also provided defensively.

[Straight forward]

He is the best.

[Shawshank]

I hope zalgiris wont make same mistake like last season

Letting go Taylor and keeping Lekavicius.


Sumner sure have problems in first 3 months with adapting and understanding euroleague game,but he clearly has nba players offensive tallents and todays lithuanians guards only can dream about that

If zalgiris wants to return to top 8 they must risk with such upside player than believe in rock solid lithuanian 5pts average tallent guards


If bring Jokuibaitis back but not as main PG. Jokubaitis can play 25minutes in PG-SG positions.

But main PG must be skilled american scorer in such average budget euroleague teams.

How game is played now when perimeter star must score on individual 6-8pts mini runs versus slow centers left on them in switching all defence tactic

[Straight forward]

LOL, Zalgiris won't have Jokubaitis as a back up. You're completely lost. It's not Barca, Real, it's Zalgiris.

[Shawshank]

You dont even get my point. As always no clue nothing new with you


Jokubaitis would be top 3 guard in zalgiris and play 25minutes (ofcourse not bench player) but not as main ball handler to attack opponents switch defence. He is very average at that like all lithuanian guards.

Look at Barcelona games Jokubaitis plays his 12min with other PGs near him and they are changing who is Sg and who is PG.


Thats how i see zalgiris in 2025 skilled volume american scorer and near him Jokubaitis that partnership can work in euroleague.

But if Zalgiris will go Jokubaitis as main PG + other lithuanian SG they have no chance in euroleague,simply wont score enough



If Zalgiris would have top 6 budget club and multiple weapons in other positions,its enough to have old school floor general.

But when zalgiris is limited offensively in other positions they must have skilled american scorer and i would have 2 of them one in PG and other in SG if they are seriuos in fighting for top 8.

With Evans starting and Sumner offensive energy from bench Zalgiris looks again like top 8 calibre team.

[zalias]

Pulkovskis said if sirvydis was to come to zalgiris he'd replace sumner. its a hard decision to make, sumner has been looking much better lately but sirvydis is much cheaper and younger. i still dont trust sumner at all, in this little stretch he's been looking better but i feel like its mostly luck. he's still playing exactly the same as he did a couple of months ago except he is making some of these shots now, i dont think he can keep this up long term.

if they sign jokubaitis they might try to replace evans with a shooting guard who can create his own shot with sirvydis coming off the bench, but it would create a log jam at that shooting guard position with giedraitis, dimsa, sirvydis.the most logical decision imo is to get rid off lekavicius and dimsa, but they wont do it obviously