Hapoel Tel Aviv Owner Eyes D'Angelo Russell Signing for $7 Million

Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball club returned to winning ways with a 87-65 victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Winner Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, ending a two-game losing streak. The team will face either Ironi Ness Ziona or Hapoel Galil Elyon in the semifinals next Saturday.

Despite the win, the team faces a significant challenge at the point guard position. With Vasse Micić rested, Tomas Satoransky struggled, and Eugene German and Max Heidegger functioned primarily as scorers rather than natural playmakers. In response, owner Ofer Yanai is determined to sign 30-year-old point guard D'Angelo Russell, recently released by the Memphis Grizzlies.

If Russell is signed, at least one current point guard is expected to be released. The total cost of this move for Yanai is estimated between $4.5 and $7 million (approximately 16 to 25 million shekels). Russell's net salary is projected at $2.5 to $4 million per season, with an additional $300,000 to $1 million needed for severance or salary completion for the departing player.

Notable performances in the game included Tai Odiase with 15 points and 9 rebounds, along with contributions from Ish Wainright and Guy Pnini. Bruno Caboclo had a less impactful game with 5 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes. During the game, a fan protested Itay Segev's limited playing time, leading to a conversation with Yanai, after which Segev entered the game.

Guard Guy Pnini commented on the win and the team's schedule, emphasizing the team's motivation after losses and the need for toughness. He expressed confidence in the team's deep and quality roster, built to handle the demanding schedule. Russell, a potential addition, averaged 10.2 points and 4 assists in 26 games for the Dallas Mavericks last season and 12.9 points and 5.6 assists for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2024-25 season. The victory over Be'er Sheva precedes their league opener, which will be a rematch.