LeBron Keeps the NBA on Hold While the Balkans Work Quietly: Crvena Zvezda and Žalgiris Are Buying, Our Kids Are Rolling

LeBron James drags out his decision, and all of America is waiting to see where he goes

At 41, LeBron James is still the man the whole NBA market spins around. Fans expected him to reveal where he'd play next season at the „Fanatics Fest" event - but the wait goes on. According to ESPN, the decision is close and could land by the end of the week. James lit the speculation himself when he used a phrase tightly tied to Philadelphia - „trust the process" - then grinned and denied any connection, reminding everyone he's been saying that line since 2003, „when Embiid maybe wasn't even born yet". Miami president Pat Riley also let slip a subtle signal of interest. When one 41-year-old player keeps an entire league hanging, that's a kind of power almost nobody has ever had.

Crvena Zvezda beefed up the paint: the EuroCup MVP has arrived

While LeBron holds press conferences through half-finished phrases, the Balkans are working quietly, but concretely. Belgrade's Crvena Zvezda officially signed center Jonathan Motley (31) from Hapoel Tel Aviv. The Serbs will fork out over 1.5 million dollars for his salary, with Hapoel covering the rest. Motley is no ordinary player - in the 2024/25 season he was EuroCup Finals MVP with Hapoel, averaging 16.7 points and 4.9 rebounds. Also returning to Belgrade is Chris Jones, who likewise came over from Tel Aviv this summer. For the European stage they want to fight for in the EuroLeague, Zvezda are building a roster that knows how to hurt you - exactly what every Balkan fan values most.

Valančiūnas came home: after 14 NBA seasons, back in the EuroLeague

Some transfers mean more than the numbers. Jonas Valančiūnas (34), one of the toughest centers Lithuania ever had, has come home after 14 seasons in the NBA - signing a two-year deal with Žalgiris of Kaunas, through the end of the 2027/28 season. „The process was long, we talked a lot, but Lithuania, Žalgiris and basketball here played a big part," he told the club's TV. Valančiūnas admits the European game will demand some adjustment, but he believes his experience with the national team at FIBA competitions will help. The return of a name like this to the EuroLeague is a message: European basketball is no longer a second option for those who want a real atmosphere, but a choice in its own right.

Our kids are rolling at the EuroBasket: 89:60 against the Netherlands

And now the news worth taking pride in. The Macedonian youth team (under 20) demolished the Netherlands 89:60 at the European Championship - a margin of a full 29 points. It was our lads' fourth win at the tournament, after triumphs over hosts Slovakia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. After an even first quarter, in the second the yellow-and-reds exploded and won it 32:11, and from there it was just a question of the margin. Four of our players finished in double figures, and the most - 18 points - came from Kosta Kirilovski. Tomorrow Macedonia plays for ninth place. When our kids bring us results like these, there's only one question: are we watching them enough?

Berokal ahead of August: „Only at full strength can we get through the pre-qualifiers"

From the kids to the seniors. The coach of Macedonia's men's national team, Spaniard Berokal, learned the group for the second round of the EuroBasket pre-qualifiers and immediately put his finger on the real sore spot - he needs a full roster. In August Macedonia opens with an away trip to Austria, then also plays Cyprus - two rivals dropping down from the World Cup qualifiers. „The most important thing for me is to have all my players available and to play with the strongest roster," the coach said. There are six weeks until preparations begin. Whether all our players will answer the call - that's the question that always torments us, and this whole campaign will be decided precisely by it.