Chimezie Metu Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Chimezie Metu Nearing Deal With Monaco

August 8th, 2025 at 8:00pm CST by Eli Cohen

Free agent forward/center Chimezie Metu is close to agreeing to a deal to join AS Monaco, reports Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.

Because Metu ruptured his Achilles tendon in March and is hoping to return to play sometime around January, the deal is contingent on the 28-year-old passing medical examinations, Urbonas writes, which will likely occur sometime next week.

Metu played six seasons in the NBA, including three with the Kings. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game over the course of 260 regular season appearances from 2018-24 before spending last season with Barcelona. He put up 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game while making 36.4% of his three-pointers during 24 EuroLeague outings.

Should the athletic big man sign with Monaco, he would join a roster loaded with former NBA talent, including Daniel Theis, Nikola Mirotic, Donatas Motiejunas, Mike James, Elie Okobo, Jaron Blossomgame, and Nick Calathes. Monaco made it to the EuroLeague Finals last season, losing to Fenerbahce, 81-70.

As Urbonas notes, Metu was in advanced talks with Fenerbahce earlier this summer before a potential agreement fell through. It’s unclear whether or not his Achilles recovery process was the reason that deal didn’t get finalized.

International Notes: Cancar, Metu, Magnay, Young, Fall

July 22nd, 2025 at 1:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Olimpia Milano has officially confirmed its multiyear deal with veteran forward Vlatko Cancar, announcing the signing in a press release.

Reporting near the start of the month indicated that Cancar was on the verge of finalizing a two-year deal with Olimpia Milano, with the longtime Nugget confirming days later that he would be headed to Italy for the 2025/26 season.

The 49th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Cancar came stateside to join the Nuggets in 2019. Across six years and 143 regular season games with the team, the 6’8″ forward averaged 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per night.

Here are a few more updates from around the international basketball world:

Veteran center Chimezie Metu was said earlier this month to be nearing a deal with the Turkish team Feneberbahce, but those talks broke down in the final stages, reports Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com. According to Urbonas, Metu had arrived in Istanbul and was prepared to sign with the reigning EuroLeague champions before the deal fell through. While Urbonas doesn’t provide specifics, it’s worth noting Metu is making his way back from an Achilles tear that he sustained in March and his agreement with Fenerbahce reportedly hinged in part on how his recovery was going.
Despite reportedly drawing some interest from the Grizzlies, the team he played for at the Las Vegas Summer League, Australian big man Will Magnay is returning to the Tasmania JackJumpers for the 2025/26 season, the team announced in a press release. “Summer League was an amazing and really valuable opportunity for me; I loved the experience. But I’m now excited to get home and get after it with the new group,” Magnay said in a statement.
The Perth Wildcats are pursuing free agent guard Jahmir Young, sources tell Olgun Uluc of ESPN. Young finished the 2024/25 season on a two-way contract with the Bulls and scored 40 points on 13-of-18 shooting in a Summer League game for Chicago last Wednesday, but was waived on Saturday to make room for newcomer Yuki Kawamura.
The New Zealand Breakers have parted ways with veteran center Tacko Fall, the team announced on social media (Twitter link). A former Celtic and Cavalier, Fall averaged 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game for the Breakers in 18 outings last season.

Free Agent Notes: Giddey, Clippers, Knicks, Metu, Moore

July 10th, 2025 at 8:02am CST by Luke Adams

Reports since last October have suggested that a salary of $30MM per year is a target for Josh Giddey and his representatives in their contract talks with the Bulls, and that number continues to be mentioned this summer. However, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (YouTube link) isn’t convinced that’s what it’ll take for the Bulls to get a deal done with the restricted free agent guard.

“Both the Bulls and Giddey want to get a deal done,” Johnson said (hat tip to Benedetto Vitale of Clutch Points). “The Bulls, knowing that the market is scarce and the restricted free agency market has very little movement…are playing the slow game here.

“I don’t have particular numbers, other than to say that Josh Giddey’s $30MM per year price tag – that’s been well documented in media and out there since last fall when the rookie contract extension was discussed – has not ever crossed my radar. I’ve never heard the Bulls mention that number. So I would not expect Josh Giddey to sign a $30MM (per year) deal.”

While Johnson refers to the situation as a “stalemate” for the time being, he stresses that negotiations haven’t been acrimonious and says he fully expects Giddey to be wearing a Bulls uniform next season.

Here’s more on free agency:

The Clippers continue to be linked to guards Bradley Beal and Chris Paul and haven’t ruled out the possibility of adding both players, per NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link). While Paul is currently a free agent, Beal will need to finalize a buyout with Phoenix before reaching the open market.
The Knicks have one roster spot open for a veteran free agent and will likely target a guard, ideally one who can handle the ball, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link). Breaking down a few possible targets who might make sense for the Knicks, Bondy notes that the team has kept an eye on Marcus Smart in case he and the Wizards work out a buyout agreement.
Former NBA big man Chimezie Metu is nearing a deal with the Turkish team Fenerbahce, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com, who says the plan is to finalize a one-year agreement if Metu’s medicals check out. The 28-year-old, who appeared in 260 NBA regular season games from 2018-24, tore his Achilles in March, so Fenerbahce wants to make sure his recovery is progressing as planned. Sources tell Urbonas that Metu is targeting a return to the court before the end of the year.
After playing for the Spurs during the California Classic Summer League this past week, free agent guard Omari Moore has reached a contract agreement with Valencia, the Spanish team announced in a press release. According to Urbonas (Twitter link), Moore had received NBA interest but has decided to make the move to Spain rather than accepting a two-way contract offer.

And-Ones: Vezenkov, Metu, Bad Contracts, Front Offices, More

May 8th, 2025 at 9:50am CST by Luke Adams

Former NBA forward Sasha Vezenkov, who spent the 2023/24 season with the Kings, is enjoying a hugely successful return to Europe this season. Vezenkov finished as the runner-up in EuroLeague MVP voting after averaging 20.2 points per game for Olympiacos and has now been named the EuroLeague Playoffs MVP for his performance in the Greek team’s quarterfinal series vs. Real Madrid, according to a press release.

It’s the first time the EuroLeague has named a Playoffs MVP — the award doesn’t encompass the league’s Final Four, which will be played later this month. Vezenkov, who gave up a fully guaranteed $6.7MM salary with the Raptors last summer in order to head back overseas, will be looking to lead Olympiacos to a win over AS Monaco on May 23 in the semifinals and – ultimately – to a EuroLeague championship.

In other European basketball news, Barcelona is parting ways with former NBA big man Chimezie Metu, who tore his Achilles in March, per a Mundo Deportivo report (hat tip to Sportando).

After appearing in 260 regular season games for four NBA teams from 2018-24, Metu played a key role for Barça this season prior to the injury, averaging 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game across 24 EuroLeague outings.

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report identifies five star players he believes have negative trade value due to their massive contracts, including a pair of Sixers (Joel Embiid and Paul George) and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. Interestingly, Pincus gives Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen an honorable mention, noting that one Eastern Conference executive referred to Markkanen’s deal (four years, $196MM) as the worst in the league. That’s “probably hyperbolic,” Pincus writes, though he notes that several teams view the contract as a major overpay.
In an article open to non-subscribers, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) hands out his front office awards – the “Yossis” – for the 2024/25 NBA season. Gozlan recognizes the Thunder for their overall salary cap management, the Knicks for their creative cap machinations in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, and the Hawks for most improving their long-term outlook over the past year, while also handing out a few other awards.
Even before home teams opened the second round by losing their first six games, the impact of home-court advantage in the NBA playoffs was on the decline, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. According to Vorkunov, home teams won at least 60 percent of their games in 56 of the NBA’s first 78 postseasons, but that hasn’t happened since 2018 — and home teams have lost 10 of 15 Game Sevens since 2021. So far this spring, teams have a home record of just 26-24 in the playoffs.

Chimezie Metu Suffers Ruptured Achilles In EuroLeague Game

March 25th, 2025 at 6:34pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Former NBA forward Chimezie Metu suffered a rupture of the Achilles tendon in his right leg during a EuroLeague game, Alessandro Maggi of Sportando relays. The FC Barcelona forward, who turned 28 on Saturday, was playing against Bayern Munich.

Metu signed with Barcelona on a one-year contract in July. In 45 games with Barcelona, Metu was averaging 11.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per contest.

A second-round pick out of USC in 2018, Metu has logged 260 NBA games. He started his career with two seasons in San Antonio, then played the next three seasons with Sacramento. He moved on to Phoenix prior to last season on a one-year, minimum-salary deal.

Metu played a total of 51 games, including 12 starts, with the Suns and Pistons last season. Phoenix traded him to Memphis, which waived him.

Metu finished the season on a two-way contract with Detroit but the Pistons declined their minimum-salary team option on him for 2024/25, making him an unrestricted free agent.

He averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game during his NBA career.

Chimezie Metu Signs With Barcelona

July 30th, 2024 at 8:26am CST by Luke Adams

After spending his first six professional seasons in the NBA, free agent big man Chimezie Metu will continue his career overseas, having signed a one-year contract with Barcelona, the Spanish club announced in a press release.

The 49th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Metu began his career with the Spurs before signing with the Kings in 2020. He emerged as a regular rotation player in Sacramento, starting 20 of his 60 games in 2021/22 and averaging 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game.

After spending two years in San Antonio and three in Sacramento, Metu inked a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Suns last summer. However, the 27-year-old played sparingly for the club, averaging 12.1 MPG in 37 appearances before being sent to Memphis in the three-team deadline deal that saw Royce O’Neale and David Roddy land in Phoenix.

Metu, who was immediately waived by Memphis, signed a 10-day contract with the Pistons in March, then agreed to a two-year deal with the club when that contract expired. The former USC star appeared in 14 games for Detroit down the stretch, averaging 10.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 29.4 MPG, but the Pistons declined their minimum-salary team option on him for 2024/25, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Metu will join a Barcelona team that posted a 23-11 record in Spanish League (ACB) play and a 22-12 mark in EuroLeague play in 2023/24. Barca lost to eventual champion Real Madrid in the ACB postseason and was denied a spot in the EuroLeague Final Four by Olympiacos.

Barcelona Interested In Signing Chimezie Metu

July 22nd, 2024 at 10:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Barcelona has expressed interest in veteran center/power forward Chimezie Metu, according to Alessadro Maggi of Sportando.

Metu became an unrestricted free agent last month when the Pistons declined his $2.65MM option for next season. There are only a handful of open roster spots around the league, so the 27-year-old big man may have to consider playing overseas.

Metu signed with the Suns last summer and appeared in 37 games before being sent to Memphis as part of a three-team deal at the trade deadline. The Grizzlies waived him a day later, and he eventually landed in Detroit, first on a 10-day contract and then on a standard deal.

He put up the best numbers of his career during his brief stay with the Pistons, averaging 10.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 14 games while playing 29.4 minutes per night. He made seven starts and had shooting splits of .500/.302/.952.

Metu was selected by San Antonio with the 49th pick in the 2018 draft and spent two seasons with the Spurs before signing with Sacramento in 2020.

Pistons Turn Down Options On Chimezie Metu, Stanley Umude

June 29th, 2024 at 5:22pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Pistons have declined team options valued at $2.65MM for Chimezie Metu and $2.12MM for Stanley Umude, league sources tell Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype (Twitter link). Both players will be unrestricted when free agency begins Sunday afternoon.

The moves will give Detroit a little more cap room to utilize in free agency. With more than $58MM to spend, the Pistons are expected to be among the most active teams on the market.

Metu, a 27-year-old center/power forward, came to Detroit on a 10-day contract in March and later signed for the rest of the season. He appeared in 14 games, starting seven, and averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per night.

Umude, a 25-year-old shooting guard, played on a two-way contract before having it converted to a standard deal in February. He saw action in 24 games, averaging 5.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per night.

Pistons Sign Chimezie Metu For Rest Of Season

March 30th, 2024 at 10:15am CST by Earnest Marshall

10:15am: The Pistons have officially signed Metu to his new contract, according to a team release.

9:26am: The Pistons are signing forward/center Chimezie Metu for the rest of the season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Wojnarowski adds that Metu’s deal will feature a team option for the 2024/25 season.

Metu recently completed a 10-day contract with Detroit, appearing in six games and making two starts. He averaged 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 26.0 minutes per night.

Metu began the season in Phoenix after signing with the Suns last offseason but was traded at the deadline to the Grizzlies as part of the three-team deal that sent Royce O’Neale to Phoenix. He didn’t appear in a game in Memphis before being waived.

On the season, Metu is averaging 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 43 games (seven starts).

The USC product was selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Spurs. He played there for two seasons before spending the next three with the Kings.

Metu has averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game over the course of his NBA career, with his best statistical season coming in ’21/22 when he averaged 8.9 PPG and 5.6 RPG while making 20 starts for Sacramento.

Central Notes: Metu, Boeheim, Giannis, Jackson, White

March 21st, 2024 at 10:57am CST by Dana Gauruder

Chimezie Metu, who was signed by the Pistons to a 10-day contract on Wednesday, appeared in their game against Indiana. Two-way guard Buddy Boeheim also made his season debut, becoming the 30th player the Pistons have used this season.

That ties the 2020/21 Rockets for the most players used in one season in league history, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News notes. “It’s definitely different,” Pistons guard Cade Cunningham said. “I just see it as an opportunity to grow as a player, as a leader, as a guard. Making sure we’re organized is a guard’s job, so I find it as an opportunity to get better. When we have all these new guys come in, I try to catch them up to speed to make it easier on them on the court.”

We have more from the Central Division:

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Wednesday’s showdown with Boston due to hamstring tightness. Coach Doc Rivers said it wasn’t a tough decision, Eric Nehm of The Athletic tweets. “He’s feeling good, not great,” Rivers said. “Those things are something you don’t take a chance on, especially now, so it wasn’t very hard.”
Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson played 28 minutes at Detroit on Wednesday in his home state, one of his longest stints this season. Jackson was grateful to coach Rick Carlisle for giving him the opportunity for extended playing time with friends and family in the stands, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “It means everything,” Jackson said. “I talked to him after the game. It’s something I feel like a lot of coaches don’t really do. I think it just shows the care that Rick has for us, everybody in general not just tonight. It means a lot to me and it means a lot to my family, too.”
Bulls guard Coby White practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play on Thursday against Houston. White said there was a silver lining to his absence, which was due to a hip strain. “It was good for me,” he told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “Obviously, I don’t want to miss games. But since it did happen and I was hurt, I wanted to take advantage of this time I had off and recover mentally, physically, emotionally spiritually. To me, I just tried to turn it into a positive.”