Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 2025/26 season ended on Tuesday night with a 3-1 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli league final, and the club is already preparing for next season. The article lays out the main names on Hapoel’s recruitment radar and the current status with each target.
One of the biggest targets is Trey Lyles, the 30-year-old, 2.06-meter forward who impressed in his first EuroLeague season with Real Madrid, especially in the Final Four. Hapoel has offered him a salary approaching $4 million per year. The club understands that Lyles’ main goal is to return to the NBA and expects him to try to secure an American contract in the coming month, but remains ready to sign him if that does not happen.
Mario Hezonja remains a priority as well. The Real Madrid star was identified as a major target back in December, and Hapoel still views him as very much in play. During a EuroBasket qualifying conversation with Israeli national team players, the Croatian said he has ties to Israel and enjoys visiting the country as a player. Club owner Ofer Yannay has already spoken earlier this season with Hezonja’s entourage, and Hapoel may approach Real Madrid this summer with a buyout offer.
Jacob Toppin is described as a central option. Hapoel is in negotiations with the 26-year-old small forward, who played this season for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. The club has tracked the Jewish-American forward since December, knowing his Jewish status means he would not count as a foreign player. Toppin, the brother of Indiana’s Obi Toppin, has been in contact with Hapoel for the past six months and has shown willingness to come to Israel, although he is currently injured. The article also notes other names on the list, including Jordan Nawara, Kadin Carrington and Yjan Montero.
