Maccabi Tel Aviv Targets Daniel Theis and Armoni Brooks Amid Villeurbanne Financial Crisis

Maccabi Tel Aviv is still seeking three signings to complete its roster for the upcoming season. While Armando Bacot is expected to join as one of the team's three centers, the club has yet to secure an additional center and a guard to replace Loni Walker. The team is currently in contact with Villeurbanne and representatives of German center Daniel Theis and American scorer Armoni Brooks, both of whom have signed with Villeurbanne. The French club is facing financial difficulties and has begun offloading assets to avoid bankruptcy. Maccabi aims to acquire at least one of these players, although other EuroLeague teams are also closely monitoring the situation.

Daniel Theis, 34, returned to Europe a year and a half ago after seven NBA seasons, where he became one of the top European centers. Over the past season and a half with Monaco, he averaged 9.7 points and 5 rebounds per game. In the NBA, Theis played 411 games with averages of 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds, peaking in the 2019/20 season with Boston at 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Armoni Brooks, 28, moved to Europe in summer 2024 after four seasons alternating between the NBA and its development league, playing 84 NBA games with 6.6 points per game. He spent two years in the EuroLeague with Milan, averaging 13.1 points and 3.5 rebounds last season.

Maccabi is also counting on the departure of Loni Walker, who is expected to earn about $2.2 million next season. However, Walker has yet to find a new team, and no financial agreement has been reached regarding his contract release. The club continues to navigate these roster challenges as it prepares for the new season.