Fenerbahce are making a major push to rebuild after failing to repeat their 2024/25 EuroLeague title run, and late Wednesday into Thursday brought three reported agreements within an hour. The Turkish champions, coached by Saras Jasikevicius, are moving aggressively in the transfer market as they aim to reclaim the trophy next season.
The biggest development involves 33-year-old guard Shane Larkin, who is expected to stay in Istanbul and sign with Fenerbahce for two years. Anadolu Efes had previously reached an arrangement with Red Star for Larkin to move to Belgrade, with the Turkish club covering half his salary, $1.9 million out of the $3.8 million he was due to earn next season. Larkin refused to go to Serbia and instead agreed terms with Fenerbahce. Anadolu was reluctant to let him join its city rival, but the new reports say the issue was settled after Larkin gave up all of the salary he was supposed to receive from Anadolu. He also reportedly turned down a $10 million, two-year offer from Dubai.
Larkin was limited by injury last season and played only 12 EuroLeague games, averaging 15.3 points and 4.2 assists. Before Anadolu, he made his EuroLeague debut with Baskonia in 2016/17, returned to the NBA for a season with the Boston Celtics, and then came back to Europe to join the Turkish club, where he won the EuroLeague twice.
Fenerbahce also reportedly agreed terms with forward Shavon Shields after his six-year spell with Milano. The 32-year-old averaged 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season. In addition, Basketnews reported that Braxton Key, a key figure for Valencia on its way to the EuroLeague Final Four and the title, has also reached an agreement with Fenerbahce. Key averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in EuroLeague play this season. Turkish reports say three more players have already been lined up as well, Marcus Bingham, Trent Forrest and Lithuanian guard Ignas Sargiunas.
