Daniel Theis, previously of the Boston Celtics, selected the abroad route when considering his choices following the NBA commerce deadline.
Theis started the season as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, agreeing to a one-year deal this previous offseason. However simply 38 video games into the marketing campaign, New Orleans traded Theis to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to maintain the Pelicans below the luxurious tax. Oklahoma Metropolis, the leaders of the Western Convention, had no intentions of preserving Theis and waived the 32-year-old to internet the franchise a second-round choose.
It wasn’t the tip of the world for Theis.
A number of groups reportedly reached out to the eight-year veteran and prolonged provides, however Theis declined. As demonstrated within the now-rescinded Los Angeles Lakers commerce for Mark Williams, front-court depth grew to become a sizzling commodity within the open market after the commerce deadline. However as an alternative, Theis selected the EuroLeague.
“(AS) Monaco has constructed one thing massive lately by reaching the Remaining 4 and at the moment rating among the many prime 4 within the EuroLeague standings,” Theis stated, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.internet. “I wished to be a part of this journey, to win, to have an opportunity to beat EuroLeague, to be aggressive.”
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The Pelicans underutilized Theis, enjoying him for simply 16.3 minutes a sport. Theis averaged 4.3 factors and 4.3 rebounds, getting simply 3.4 shot makes an attempt and making solely 9 begins. It introduced Theis to the purpose the place he misplaced religion in getting a chance to make a distinction for an NBA group.
Theis, nonetheless, doesn’t look again on his eight NBA seasons with any animosity or remorse and feels as if even when he doesn’t return, his profession was a hit.
“For more often than not, I had expertise with profitable runs. I went to the Finals with the Boston Celtics,” Theis stated. “I performed within the Jap Convention Finals a number of instances. I performed with nice gamers. I met numerous buddies. It stays an excellent chapter in my skilled profession.”
Boston traded Theis three offseasons in the past to the Indiana Pacers, serving to the Celtics purchase Malcolm Brogdon — the eventual NBA Sixth Man of the Yr. From that time, Theis struggled to rummage for minutes to carve out a significant position, and that development continued with the Los Angeles Clippers final season and the Pelicans this go-around.
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The EuroLeague is the place Theis received his first skilled basketball expertise, enjoying for Broose Bamberg — for 54 video games — earlier than signing a contract with the Celtics coming into the 2017-18 season. Theis returned for a second run with Boston for the 2021-22 season and will return this upcoming offseason if the best door opens.
For now, Theis will give attention to third-place AS Monaco (14-4) pursuing its second EuroCup title and its first since 2021.
