Hapoel Tel Aviv Negotiates with Tamir Blatt Amid Role Dispute and Contract Deadline

Hapoel Tel Aviv is advancing preparations for the upcoming basketball season, focusing on strengthening their guard positions. After signing Tomas Satoransky, the club is negotiating with Israeli guard Tamir Blatt, who recently ended his contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Although Blatt has not yet spoken with head coach Dimitris Itoudis, the team has indicated that initially, he will be fourth in the point guard hierarchy for EuroLeague play, behind Vasily Micic, Tomas Satoransky, and a yet-to-be-signed foreign point guard. This is despite Blatt’s previous EuroLeague averages of 7.1 points and 5.2 assists in 19.5 minutes per game.

Hapoel’s sports director, Ofer Yanai, has been in direct talks with Blatt, assuring him he will receive playing time and opportunities to compete in the EuroLeague. The club offered Blatt a one-year contract worth $1.6 million, including several hundred thousand dollars in equity shares, a detail revealed for the first time. However, internal disagreements within Hapoel Tel Aviv about Blatt’s role stalled the deal. The coaching staff has since come around to viewing Blatt as the best alternative to their current point guard, Scottie Wilbekin.

Yanai also discussed with Blatt the possibility of signing a long-term contract with a loan arrangement. Blatt was given a deadline until the evening of July 15 to respond, with Yanai stating that if no answer is received, negotiations will pause until after the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av, about a week later. Blatt remains active on the international market and is being considered by other European teams. Currently, the decision rests with Blatt regarding his next move.