NBA Teams Showed Strong Interest in Isaac Bonga and Alpha Diallo During EuroLeague Season
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Multiple NBA franchises monitored EuroLeague standouts Isaac Bonga and Alpha Diallo this season and explored the possibility of bringing them to the United States, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.
Bonga blocked by contract
Bonga, 26, drew “strong interest” from several NBA clubs while playing for Partizan Belgrade. The German guard/forward was unable to leave Serbia mid-season because his deal, which runs through 2027, does not include an in-season exit clause. Partizan therefore rejected all approaches.
The former second-round pick still holds an NBA-out clause for the upcoming offseason. This year he averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 36.5 percent from three. Bonga last appeared in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors in 2021-22 and spent four seasons in the league from 2018 to 2022.
Diallo earns EuroLeague accolades
Diallo, a 6’7” forward with AS Monaco, was voted EuroLeague Best Defensive Player by the competition’s general managers after finishing second in steals. At least one NBA team tracked his progress, Urbonas reported.
Diallo’s contract with Monaco lasts until 2028 but also contains an NBA-out clause that could be activated this summer. The Providence product went undrafted in 2020 before building his profile overseas.
Both players remain under long-term European contracts, yet their offseason escape clauses leave the door open for potential NBA returns.
Source: HoopsRumors
