NBA Rumors: Eurobasket Star Sparks Interest from Major Franchises

Maccabi Tel Aviv's center, Roman Sorkin, has become one of the most talked-about names in the international market after shining with the Israeli national team in the last Eurobasket. According to Ian Begley from SNY TV, teams like the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Portland Trail Blazers have shown interest in exploring his arrival in the NBA.

The 27-year-old player had already had a great season in the Euroleague with Maccabi, where he averaged 12.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, establishing himself as one of the most reliable big men on the continent. However, it was in the international tournament where he truly caught the eye: in six games with Israel, he averaged 16.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, including a double-double against Slovenia. His physical impact and ability to produce on both ends of the court have put him on the radar of several NBA franchises.

Sorkin is not a stranger to American basketball. Between 2014 and 2018, he played four seasons in Oregon, although after not making a direct leap to the NBA, he decided to return to his home country to build a solid career in Israel. Since then, he has become one of the pillars of Maccabi Tel Aviv, with whom he signed a contract extension last summer for five years, keeping him tied until 2029.

This bond poses an obstacle to his departure, as he would need a buyout clause or agreement to explore an adventure in the NBA. In terms of fit, the three interested teams come from different situations. Portland has 15 players under guaranteed contracts, so they would need to free up space through trade or cuts before considering his addition. Miami, on the other hand, only has 12 guaranteed contracts, giving them immediate flexibility to add talent to their rotation.

The New York Knicks Option

The Knicks also have 12 players on the roster, but their salary cap limitations only allow them to add one veteran minimum contract and one rookie minimum. In Sorkin's case, the applicable minimum would be the veteran one since New York does not hold his draft rights, further complicating the operation in terms of luxury tax.

In any scenario, Sorkin's potential move to the NBA will depend less on sporting interest, which is already on the table, and more on the contractual feasibility with Maccabi. If he manages to untangle, his size, versatility, and potential make him an attractive profile to strengthen the bench of any of the closely watching franchises.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: Una estrella del Eurobasket desata el interés de grandes franquicias