Mike James Agrees to Join Dubai in Major EuroLeague Move

Mike James has decided his next step after winning the French championship with Monaco on Tuesday night. The EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer was previously close to Barcelona, but those talks collapsed, and he has now reached an agreement with Dubai, according to a report in Greece’s Gazetta.

The report says James will join the United Arab Emirates club, which is expected to be his final stop as a player. He is also set to reunite with coach Xavi Pascual, who had tried to bring him to Barcelona and is now expected to leave the Catalan club as well, with Dubai thought to be his next destination.

James had already agreed with Pascual to join Barcelona before Dubai entered the picture. The Barcelona deal was said to be worth 3 million euros over two years, but Pascual’s expected departure after the final series sped up the process. James is expected to be officially announced soon by his new team.

The move is part of Dubai’s push to build one of the most expensive rosters in EuroLeague history. The club also reportedly offered a contract to Shane Larkin, but he prefers to stay in Turkey and remain with Fenerbahce. James is set to join a star-laden lineup that already includes Dzanan Musa, Mfiondu Kabengele, Filip Petrusev and McKinley Wright.