Olimpia Milano, guided by Coach Ettore Messina, appears to be constructing a backcourt designed for impact and flair. The Italian powerhouse is making significant moves in the transfer market, prioritizing dynamic guards to lead their charge in upcoming seasons.
Key Backcourt Additions: Brown and Guduric
The focus has recently been on securing the services of veteran guard Lorenzo Brown. The 34-year-old, who last played for Panathinaikos, is currently undergoing medical examinations in Milan, signaling a deal is imminent. Brown, a U.S. native who was recently called up by Spain`s national team coach Sergio Scariolo, is reportedly Milano`s prime target to bolster the point guard position alongside returning players like Mannion and the newly acquired Ellis. Known for his intelligence, character, and extensive experience, Brown brings elite court vision, ball control, and reading ability that often translates into spectacular plays.
Brown`s resume includes an impressive stint with Maccabi (2022-2024), where he averaged nearly 6 assists per game in the Euroleague and earned a spot on the competition`s First Team in 2023. Intriguingly, he also possesses an NBA championship ring from his time with the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 season, although his playing time across 26 games was limited. He has also played for prominent European clubs like Crvena Zvezda, UNICS Kazan, and Fenerbahce, and notably won EuroBasket gold with Spain in 2022. While his past season in Greece under coach Ataman saw reduced minutes, the impending arrival of TJ Shorts at Panathinaikos makes a move to Milan a logical next step for the talented guard.
Milano has also officially confirmed the addition of Marko Guduric, a move anticipated for some time. The 30-year-old Serbian joins from Fenerbahce after a phenomenal season where he achieved a Turkish “Grand Slam,” including contributing 19 points in the Euroleague final victory, national cup, and league title. Guduric is celebrated as a formidable player renowned for hitting crucial, “heavy” shots. His versatility allows him to cover multiple backcourt positions, thanks to his high basketball IQ and playmaking abilities. A true leader, Guduric averaged 11 points last season with a solid 37.8% shooting percentage from three-point range. His ability to perform under pressure is expected to help address some of the mental lapses that affected Milano last season. Guduric expressed his excitement about joining the “legendary” and “well-organized” club, emphasizing his eagerness to build a connection with his new teammates to achieve maximum success. He will join established players like captain Shavon Shields.
Targeting Frontcourt Talent: Vlatko Cancar
Beyond the guard positions, Milano is also actively pursuing reinforcements for their frontcourt. While Josh Nebo is anticipated to be a key player after an injury-hit first season, and Devin Booker is arriving from Bayern Munich to partner with him, the team is seeking to add depth at the power forward spot alongside Zach LeDay. The primary target is reportedly Vlatko Cancar, a 28-year-old Slovenian forward standing 203 centimeters.
Cancar has spent the last five seasons in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, participating in 143 games and being part of their 2023 championship-winning roster. Despite averaging 3.4 points per game in the NBA, he remains a vital player for the Slovenian national team, having won EuroBasket in 2017 and averaging 11.6 points in the 2022 edition. Milano`s goal is to bring this experienced NBA player back to Europe to bolster their forward rotation. Other potential moves involve the center position, with Caruso possibly leaving and Totè being considered, while Diop is expected to remain a core piece.
Building for Contention
These strategic acquisitions of players like Brown and Guduric, coupled with the pursuit of an NBA talent like Cancar, highlight Olimpia Milano`s clear ambition to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level in the Euroleague. Coach Messina is assembling a team with diverse skills, focusing on experienced, high-character players to create a formidable unit for the upcoming season.
Elton Marrow