Lithuanian powerhouse Zalgiris Kaunas is finalizing a multiyear agreement with former NBA forward Maxwell Lewis, according to BasketNews. Under the expected deal, the 23-year-old would spend his first season on loan, most likely with the London Lions.
Lewis split the 2025/26 campaign between Juventus Utena and Turkey’s Tofaş, averaging 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22 games for the Lithuanian side before leaving the Turkish club in March. The Pepperdine product was selected 40th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and appeared in 34 games for the Los Angeles Lakers as a rookie. He played seven additional contests for the Lakers in 2024/25 before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where a fractured tibia limited him to 21 games. His NBA averages stand at 5.3 points and 2.5 boards in 14.2 minutes.
Zalgiris is also close to a deal with former Celtics guard Carsen Edwards. The 2025/26 season saw Edwards post 17.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 25 minutes per game for Virtus Bologna in EuroLeague play. The 26-year-old appeared in 72 NBA games, primarily with Boston.
NBA Contract Decisions Loom
The Athletic’s John Hollinger projects outcomes for several high-profile option calls this offseason. Among the players holding player or team options are Trae Young, Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, Isaiah Hartenstein and Fred VanVleet. Hollinger also weighs in on contracts containing partial guarantees.
Evolving Blueprint for Champions
In a separate column, Hollinger observes that modern contenders lean on balanced rosters rather than a single dominant superstar. With defenses switching frequently and offenses targeting mismatches, having the least exploitable weakness can rival — or surpass — the value of the best individual star, he writes.
BIG3 Plans Public Offering
The BIG3, the three-on-three league co-founded by rapper Ice Cube, intends to go public later this year at an estimated valuation of $290 million, ESPN reports. The league will allow fans to purchase shares in an offering targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026 under the ticker TONT (“3-on-3”) on a major U.S. exchange. The BIG3’s ninth season tips off next week in Los Angeles.
All information above reflects the latest developments across international basketball, NBA roster machinations and alternative leagues.
Source: Hoops Rumors
