Howard wants to leave Baskonia for Zenit

The future of Markus Howard is moving away from Kosner Baskonia. The 27-year-old American guard is going through a delicate moment in Vitoria and is involved in advanced negotiations with Zenit St. Petersburg, according to specialized sources. The possible transfer would mark a significant shift in the North American player's career, as he seeks to regain prominence in a new stage.

Negotiations with the Russian team

The St. Petersburg team is positioning itself as the main candidate to sign the American player. The opportunity presented by Zenit includes the possibility of working again under the orders of Dusko Ivanovic, the coach with whom Howard has previously shared experience. This connection between player and coach could accelerate the conclusion of an agreement that would benefit both parties in the context of continental competition.

The talks are proceeding alongside Baskonia's search for solutions for its roster. Howard's departure would allow the Vitoria team to restructure its offensive rotation and allocate resources to other positions that require immediate reinforcement in the EuroLeague.

Drop in performance in the current season

The potential departure of the guard comes after a start to the 2026-27 season where his participation in the top European competition has drastically declined. Howard only played the first three matches of the EuroLeague with Baskonia, averaging just 4.7 points in 10 minutes per game. These figures represent a considerable reduction compared to his usual standards.

The situation worsened with his absence in the last European commitment of the Blaugrana team against Besiktas, a game in which he did not play due to a technical decision by the coaching staff. This exclusion raised questions about his continuity in the Vitoria project and accelerated movements in the market.

Contrast with previous seasons

Howard's current performance sharply contrasts with his output in previous seasons. During the last campaign, the guard averaged 10.4 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. These figures demonstrated a much more relevant role within Baskonia's rotation, where he had the confidence to develop his offensive game.

Best moment in the EuroLeague

Howard's best version in the continental competition came during the 2023-24 season, when he established himself as one of the most dangerous scorers in the EuroLeague. In that campaign, the American guard averaged 19.5 points and 1.6 assists in just 23 minutes per game, becoming one of the main offensive references for Baskonia.

Those performances allowed him to earn the trust of the Vitoria project and position himself as a key player in the team's schemes. However, the evolution of the current season has completely altered this scenario, forcing both the player and the club to reconsider their common future.

Movement to Zenit would represent an opportunity for Howard to regain minutes and prominence in a high-level competition. The Russian team is looking to bolster its offense and trusts that the American guard can provide the offensive quality he demonstrated in previous campaigns. The presence of Ivanovic on the bench facilitates a more natural transition for the North American player, who is already familiar with the methods and demands of the Serbian coach.

The resolution of this movement could come in the coming weeks, with the winter market speeding up the necessary administrative procedures. Both Baskonia and Zenit are seeking to finalize an agreement that satisfies the interests of both institutions and allows Howard to find stability in his European career.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Howard quiere salir del Baskonia rumbo al Zenit