Hapoel Tel Aviv Signs Tamir Blatt, Plans Loan Move Amid Staff Disagreement

Hapoel Tel Aviv announced the signing of point guard Tamir Blatt on August 3, 2026. Blatt will earn a base salary of $1.1 million per season plus an additional $500,000 in shares. However, due to differing opinions within the coaching staff about his addition, the club plans to loan him out for the first season.

Blatt himself prefers to be loaned out rather than stay and compete for limited playing time, as he understands he is unlikely to receive significant minutes in the current backcourt lineup. He was given the chance to participate in the training camp to impress the staff but opted for a loan to secure more playing time.

Interest in Blatt has come from two newly formed teams in Rome, SPQR led by Luka Dončić and Maxima, both set to compete in the EuroCup next season. Additionally, Villeurbanne, a EuroLeague team, has also expressed interest. Negotiations were primarily handled by Blatt’s agent, Mishko Raznatovic, and Hapoel’s CEO Ofer Yanai, who personally managed the discussions.

Coach George Hinas and part of the professional staff have spoken with Blatt during the process. In the previous EuroLeague season, Blatt averaged 7.1 points (shooting 40.5% on twos and 38.5% on threes), 5.2 assists, and 2.3 turnovers in 19 minutes and 25 seconds per game, with a strong assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.26. The loan move aims to provide Blatt with more playing opportunities while Hapoel navigates internal staff opinions on his role.