International Notes: Dinwiddie, Silva, De Colo, NBA Europe

Veteran NBA guard Spencer Dinwiddie has officially parted ways with Bayern Munich, the German team announced in a press release.

According to Bayern, which competes in both the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague, Dinwiddie’s contract was terminated in a mutual agreement. The 32-year-old was granted permission to travel to the United States prior to Christmas because a family member is dealing with a serious illness.

“I would like to thank the organization, the team, and the fans. Despite the recent challenging phase of the season, I felt very comfortable in Munich. Unfortunately, I am currently not in a position to play,” Dinwiddie said in a statement.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Dinwiddie signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with Charlotte in July. Although the deal was fully guaranteed, he became the victim of a preseason roster crunch for the Hornets, who waived him on October 16. He signed with Bayern, his first international team, a week later.

Here are a few more international items of interest:

• Former NBA big man Chris Silva is moving from AEK Athens to Fenerbahce, as first reported by Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (via Twitter) and confirmed by Semih Tuna of Eurohoops.net and Domantas Urbonas of BasketNews.com. The 29-year-old forward/center was thriving with the Greek team and reportedly received interest from multiple EuroLeague clubs before deciding to sign with Turkey’s Fenerbahce, which won the EuroLeague championship last season.
• Fenerbahce will also be adding ex-NBA guard Nando De Colo, who has parted ways with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, according to an announcement from the French team (hat tip to Tuna of Eurohoops). “Approached by the Turkish club, Nando was keen to seize this opportunity, to which LDLC ASVEL did not object, wishing to respect the player’s wishes. The entire club thanks Nando for his integrity and professionalism throughout these years spent at LDLC ASVEL and wishes him the maximum joy and trophies for the rest of his career.”
• Some European politicians have raised objections about the NBA’s proposed European league, according to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. January will be an important month for the new venture and for the EuroLeague, which is waiting to hear back from four teams — including Fenerbahce and ASVEL — about whether or not they will stay in the league in 2026/27, per Aris Barkas of Eurohoops.