Hapoel Tel Aviv has already begun planning for next season after another disappointing campaign ended without a local title, even though the team secured another EuroLeague berth by reaching the quarterfinals. The club wants to keep its player budget at roughly $25 million, preserve a high-quality roster, and remain a legitimate EuroLeague side.
Management says it misjudged this season’s roster construction, especially by carrying too many Israeli players. The plan is to keep four or five leading Israelis, including naturalized Hapoel Jerusalem guard Kadin Carrington, who has already reached an agreement and is expected to make the move. Maccabi Tel Aviv guard John DiBartolomeo is also on the club’s radar.
The main coaching question is Dimitris Itoudis. He was backed during the year, even through a five-game EuroLeague losing streak about two months ago, and Hapoel says he is likely to stay because he has a contract worth more than $1 million and met the season’s main objective, a playoff place in the EuroLeague.
The club expects to keep a core group that includes Elijah Bryant, Dan Oturu, Tyler Ennis, Antonio Blakeney, and likely Ish Wainright, whose contract is to be extended soon. Vasilije Micic, who has two guaranteed years left at about $6 million per season, is also expected to remain. Jonathan Motley, once one of the project’s first big signings, has seen his role shrink sharply and his future is uncertain despite a guaranteed deal.
Chris Jones is without a contract for next season, but Hapoel has opened talks on a two-year extension while he also draws interest from Red Star, Milan, and Panathinaikos. Yam Madar, who has a contract but also an exit clause, is unhappy with his role and has been offered a new deal worth about $8 million over three years; he is also considering Hapoel Jerusalem and possibly Maccabi Tel Aviv if Tamir Blatt does not re-sign. Hapoel wants to keep Tomer Ginat and Bar Timor, both under contract, and will not block departures for Itay Segev, Guy Palatin, or Tai Odiase if they ask to leave. Oz Blayzer, Livi Randolph, Yiftach Ziv, and Colin Malcolm are not expected to stay.
