Hapoel Tel Aviv Eyes Adding Another Domestic Player Ahead of New Season

While Maccabi Tel Aviv has finalized its roster for the upcoming season, Hapoel Tel Aviv has yet to complete its squad. The club currently has ten foreign players signed but is actively seeking to add another domestic player to strengthen its lineup. Hapoel relies on its foreign centers Dan Otero and Tai Odiase, both of whom extended their contracts this summer, along with Zack LeDay, who can also play inside. However, the team wants to deepen its roster with a quality player who can provide backup and versatility in the frontcourt.

The club is also in ongoing talks with Max Heidegger, who may join the team. Officials emphasized the need for a very specific type of player, someone who can contribute without being a leading star, as the core leadership rests with Otero and LeDay. Hapoel has been monitoring players released from the NBA market and developments in Europe. Recently, Joel Bolomboy was proposed to the club, though reports suggest he might end up playing for Malaga outside the EuroLeague. The team also considered Maxi Kleber, a German national team player with NBA experience.

Hapoel Tel Aviv will begin preseason preparations on August 20 in Bulgaria and will return to Israel about a month later for the Super Cup on September 17. The club is expected to soon announce its preseason game schedule. Several players who are part of the Israeli national team, including Tomer Ginat, Guy Pnatin, Kadin Carrington, Tamir Blatt, and Itay Segev, will miss much of the preseason as they start national team training early next week.