Micic takes 5.6 million euros net at Hapoel - the EuroLeague already pays like the NBA

Vasilije Micic's annual salary at Hapoel Tel Aviv starts at 5.6 million euros net per season, on top of which he has bonuses and stakes in the club secured in his 2025 contract. Behind him are two Panathinaikos players - Nigel Hayes-Davis on around 5 million and Kendrick Nunn on around 4.3 million euros. The EuroLeague's top ten now approach or exceed 3 million euros net a year. Ten years ago that was a sum a European basketball player only saw if he crossed the ocean. Now he does not have to. He just has to be at one of the five clubs that can pay it.

The EuroLeague and the NBA are talking - but there is nothing on the table

EuroLeague chief executive Bueno said openly that to date there is not a single formal proposal from the NBA on what a possible partnership would look like. Confidentiality agreements have been signed, so nothing is being commented on until both sides decide together. Bueno added that the EuroLeague would assess any concrete proposal and take it to the club owners. Translation: two months of headlines about "an NBA-EuroLeague merger", and the official status is - we are talking. Anyone who follows European basketball knows this phase by heart: while everyone waits for a document, contracts get written.

Curry does not want free agency like LeBron - he wants to stay where he is

Stephen Curry was asked whether he would go through a free agency process like LeBron James did this summer. The answer was a short "not at all". "I have always said I want to stay in Golden State to the end," Curry said, adding that NBA contracts change fast and that it will sort itself out. At 38 he has one year left on his deal and will earn 62.5 million dollars this season, and he can sign a two-year extension worth 136.7 million dollars. Loyalty is easier when it pays that much.

Kumanovo won the first Zoran Petkovski - Petkoto tournament in Bitola

MKK Kumanovo won the first Zoran Petkovski - Petkoto memorial tournament, played over two days at the Boro Churlevski hall in Bitola. In the semi-final Kumanovo beat the hosts Pelister 80:61, and in the final they got the better of TFT 75:64. Third place went to MZT Skopje Aerodrom, who beat Pelister 85:63 in the bronze medal match. The hosts finished fourth on their own floor, at a tournament dedicated to a man from their own city. Bitola did get something it lacks all year round - a full hall and games that mean something.

Jakimovski signed for Napoli: "I know the city, I played here"

Macedonian international Andrej Jakimovski has been officially presented as a player of Napoli Basket, the Italian top-flight side coached by Jasmin Repesa. Jakimovski had a strong season at Trento, his first after returning from the United States, and drew interest from several clubs - but decided to stay in Italy. "I had no doubts at all about choosing this project. I know Naples, I played here last year and I know it is a very passionate basketball city," he said. The team will also play in the EuroCup. Another one of our players choosing consistent minutes over a bigger name on the shirt - and so far it has paid off for him.