Cleveland Cavaliers’ Omri Casspi not rejoining the Maccabi Tel Aviv – NBA Update
Last week, there were strong reports that Cleveland Cleveland’s newly acquired player Omri Casspi was about to finalize his deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, but in a rather astonishing turn of events yesterday, he announced that he
will not be able to join this season.
“Unfortunately, a number of significant problems, like income tax, have stopped me from joining the team at which I wanted to play the most,” He said
Casspi had been through a lengthy process of negotiations with the Maccabi’s management. He showed immense respect and thanked Shimon Mizrahi and the co owner of Tel Aviv, David Federman for their understanding and sincerity throughout
the negotiations.
Just before the lockout was imposed on the National Basketball Association’s players, Sacramento Kings traded him for J.J Hickson to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2009, Casspi took off his NBA career with solid performances but unfortunately
he wore out the same season.
During a training session last week, he received a knee injury and MRI showed that he had a slight tear in his in the ligaments of left knee. After that he gave a statement that he would not play unless 100 percent capable.
However, soon after he announced that he would not be able to join Maccabi Tel Aviv reports came that Casspi was not playing in the European Championships, When contacted by the Israeli National Team’s coach, Arik Shivek, on Tuesday,
he said that he has not fully recovered and he will need two more weeks to regain his fitness.
Shivek has consequently dropped his name from the Israeli squad.
“We decided to put an end to the 'yes, no, yes, no,' situation. Omri won't be joining us.” Shivek said in a statement. “The current squad players are those who will take part in the tournament, and that's final.”
There have been rumours that Casspi has not returned to Israel due to financial reasons. If he did so, he would have been be bound to pay income taxes on whatever he earns there. The budget of Maccabi was also not high enough to
acquire his services.
There have also been reports that the Israeli native has offers from Russian clubs Khimki Moscow and Spartak St. Petersburg. He has been keen to play overseas during the lockout and recently said,
“I’m looking into several offers from abroad and I will soon announce which team I will be joining.”
Also is the loop is France’s Asvel Basket Lyon Villeurbanne. Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, who is also the client of the Casspi’s agent, is also going to play there and the two will make up an interesting combo. However,
nothing is finalized as yet.
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