The FIBA break rumours are heating up, a time of year when NBL clubs traditionally look to make adjustments to their rosters, particularly those struggling to find form early in the season.
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However, the conversations aren’t limited to struggling teams, with Melbourne United superstar and NBA veteran Cole Anthony reportedly attracting interest from European powerhouse Olympiacos.
It was only in August that Anthony signed a one-year deal with Melbourne United, and since then, he has already produced a 40-point performance and established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous scorers.
Through 11 games, Anthony is averaging 23.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists, shooting 43.5% from the field.
The star guard has made it look easy at times, and despite averaging just 27.6 minutes per game, he sits second in the league in scoring. He is also the only player in the competition averaging more than 20 points while playing fewer than 30 minutes per game.
Now, reports have surfaced that reigning EuroLeague champions Olympiacos have Anthony on their radar following several key injuries to their roster, forcing the European powerhouse to assess potential replacements.
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According to European basketball reporter Matteo Andreani, discussions are already underway, with the reporter also indicating that Anthony has a buyout clause in his contract.
Olympiacos’ reported interest in signing another guard comes amid injury concerns, including starting guard Jean Montero, who recently underwent knee surgery and is expected to miss six months.
However, securing Anthony’s services would be far from straightforward.
According to Andreani, Anthony’s contract with Melbourne United includes a buyout clause, although the details of that arrangement have not been confirmed.
This would mean Olympiacos may need to negotiate the financial conditions of Anthony’s potential departure from Australia before any deal could progress.
At this stage, discussions remain preliminary, with no indication that an agreement has been reached or that Anthony has committed to a move.
With Olympiacos assessing their options on the market, Anthony has emerged as one of the names under consideration, but whether the reigning European champions decide to pursue the move further remains to be seen.
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Should Anthony hypothetically make the move to Olympiacos, reports suggest he could earn upwards of A$190,000 per month.
Another potential appeal for Anthony would be the opportunity to reunite with two familiar faces from his NBA career, including veteran Cory Joseph, who played more than 40 games alongside Anthony in Orlando, and former Magic teammate Evan Fournier.
Olympiacos currently sit second in the EuroLeague standings with a 7-2 record, and with the club looking to defend its title, the reported interest in one of the NBL’s best players comes as the European powerhouse looks to strengthen its roster.
Fox Sports Australia reached out to Melbourne United for comment, with a club spokesman confirming that Anthony remains focused on helping his side compete for a championship.
“Cole is a contracted player with Melbourne United who is focused on helping our team perform, with the ultimate goal of winning an NBL championship.”
For now, the reported interest has not progressed beyond preliminary discussions, with Anthony remaining contracted to Melbourne United.
Player movement and overseas interest are common talking points around the FIBA break, particularly as NBL clubs assess their imports and look to strengthen their rosters ahead of the second half of the season.
Just last season, Ian Clark, Troy Brown Jr and Terry Taylor were among the players to arrive around this period, as several clubs made changes to their import combinations.
Whether Anthony becomes another name involved in the mid-season movement remains to be seen, but for Melbourne United, keeping one of the league’s most prolific scorers would undoubtedly be a priority as they continue their pursuit of an NBL championship.
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