Cleveland Cavaliers Omri Casspi rejoining Maccabi Tel Aviv - NBA Update
With the ongoing lockout, various National Basketball Association (NBA) players have been sorting out their overseas playing options. Some, like Deron Williams have signed their contracts while others like Kobe Bryant are waiting
for the right offers. In the midst of all, there have been reports that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi is going back to his native land and rejoining the club which gave him the first break, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“I wanted to continue playing at the highest levels in Europe and there is no better place to do that than with Maccabi.” said the Israeli small forward of Cleveland Cavaliers, Omri Casspi.
Similar to Olympics, Maccabiah is also an international athletic event which is only for the Jews. It is held every four years in Israel under the Maccabi Federation which is affiliated with Maccabi World Union.
The co owner of Tel Aviv Macabi, David Federman, announced that Casspi had agreed on the terms with the management and he is set to sign the agreement until the end of NBA lockout. He told the media that if Casspi would decide
on playing in Europe during the lockout, then he would play at Maccabi.
“We are in advanced negotiations with Casspi and we have basically agreed all the financial terms” told Federman.
The twenty three year Casspi played for three seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv and became the first Israeli to join the NBA after being drafted as 23rd overall pick by the Sacramento Kings. The 6 ft 9 in small forward was
later traded to the Cavaliers in exchange for J.J. Hickson.
In this fall, Maccabi are scheduled to participate in BSL, the Adriatic league and the EuroLeague. With Casspi in the mix of things, Coach David Blatt will have a good option in the front court and his desire to go deep into these
tournaments can very well become a reality.
Other members of the team include Jeremy Pargo, Lior Eliyahu, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, Guy Pnini, David Blu, Scheyer, Devin Smith, Shawn James, Yogev Ohayon and Greek star Theodoros Papaloukas. Casspi though will not be the only
NBA player in team as New Jersey Nets’ guard Jordan Farmar also signed recently. Casspi was also in the loop to participate in EuroBasket Tournament as a part of Israeli National Team, but he received a knee injury during a practice session last week which
has made his participation in the event vey uncertain.
“I will not play again until I know I’m 100 percent capable. I’m not sure if I will play in the EuroBasket. It’s too early to decide now, but I feel horrible pains and can barely move. I will need around six weeks to recuperate,
two of those playing no basketball at all.” He said regarding his injury.
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