EuroLeague 2024/2025 Preview – Zalgiris faces several tough challenges in the upcoming season, and we will see how well head coach Andrea Trinchieri’s squad, supported by the passionate Kaunas crowd, can perform.
Andrea Trinchieri took over Zalgiris at a difficult time, as he didn’t have the chance to choose the players for the upcoming season. The team was already assembled by his predecessor, Kazys Maksvytis, who was dismissed after an unsuccessful first half of the season. Despite this, Trinchieri is expected to return Zalgiris to success, as this Lithuanian giant, though financially inferior to many EuroLeague rivals, traditionally aims high.
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One of the main challenges for the Italian coach will be not only adjusting the team to his game philosophy but also boosting the morale of a squad that lost the domestic championship title last season. Zalgiris, for the first time in many years, failed to claim the crown in the Lithuanian Lithuanian basketball league, a significant blow to the club, which traditionally dominates on the home front.
“I took over a team that wasn’t of my choosing, but Zalgiris is a club with tradition and high expectations. We must find a way to compete with wealthier clubs, and that is only possible through discipline and team play. Before now, I didn’t even realize I needed such a challenge in my career,” the experienced strategist said.
The Italian will face tough competition both in the EuroLeague and in the domestic championship. However, despite a smaller budget, Zalgiris remains a club always expected to fight for trophies.
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As previously mentioned, Andrea Trinchieri arrived at Zalgiris at a very inconvenient time. The Lithuanian giant had a 5-12 record in the EuroLeague, sparking dissatisfaction among fans and the club’s management. However, on December 30, 2023, Zalgiris received a New Year’s gift in the form of the charismatic Italian, called upon to reverse the poor run of results.
He made his debut on the Zalgiris bench just three days later, defeating Alba Berlin 77:71 in front of the home crowd at the Kaunas Arena. This gave fans some hope, as they began to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
However, just three days after that, Trinchieri suffered a tough loss to French team Asvel, led by his compatriot Gianmarco Pozzecco, showing that the Italian had a challenging task ahead. The defeat highlighted that, while charismatic and talented, Trinchieri did not arrive with a “magic wand,” and that the team’s true transformation would take time.
Trinchieri managed to extract the most from the roster he inherited, finishing the season in 14th place with 14 wins and 20 losses. Although far from a playoff spot, the result was respectable given the team’s starting position. The experienced coach knew real success in Kaunas would only be possible after he had the chance to shape the team himself, which became his goal for the 2024/25 season.
EuroLeague 2024/2025 Preview – Zalgiris will not be a team to underestimate
This season, Andrea Trinchieri has had the freedom to select reinforcements for Zalgiris, a club still balancing between a limited budget and high expectations. One of the Italian’s main challenges will be filling the void left by key players such as Keenan Evans, who joined Olympiacos, and Rolands Smits, now with Anadolu Efes. Smits averaged 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in last season’s EuroLeague, and his departure is a significant blow to the team.
Additionally, Edmon Sumner, who arrived from the NBA but didn’t make a significant impact in the EuroLeague with an average of 6.9 points, and Demetre Rivers, who played only in the Lithuanian championship, also left the club. Injuries have further weakened the rotation, including Karolis Lukosiunas, who played just two games before being sidelined.
However, Zalgiris hasn’t been passive in the transfer market. The key acquisition is Sylvain Francisco from Bayern. In his EuroLeague debut season, the Frenchman averaged 10.6 points and 3.2 assists per game, providing a significant boost in the backcourt, especially in shooting and playmaking.
In addition, Deividas Sirvydis, who spent last season with Lietkabelis, where he averaged 18.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in the EuroCup, joined the team. His experience and energy will be crucial for Zalgiris’ campaign.
Another important signing is former Partizan player Alen Smailagic, who will strengthen the team under the basket. In the ABA league, Smailagic averaged 5.3 points and 2.1 rebounds, while in the EuroLeague, his numbers improved to 5.5 points and 2.2 rebounds. His energy and athleticism will add toughness in the paint.
Tyrone Wallace, formerly of Turk Telekom, also joins as one of the top scorers in the EuroCup, where he averaged 17.9 points per game.
Mix of experienced players and rising stars
Zalgiris also added experienced Bryant Dunston, who has played for some of the top European clubs. Last season in the EuroLeague, the American averaged 4.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, bringing experience and stability to the post.
Trinchieri also brought in Matt Mitchell, signing him to a one-plus-one contract. Mitchell arrived from Besiktas, where he averaged 12.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in the EuroCup and posted similar stats in the Turkish Super League (10.2 points, 3.9 rebounds).
The roster was completed with the return of Ignas Brazdeikis, who came back to Kaunas after a season with Olympiacos. In his first stint with Zalgiris, the Lithuanian averaged 11.6 points per game in the EuroLeague, and now he aims to rediscover his rhythm back in Lithuania.
The Italian coach now has the task of molding this mix of experienced players and rising stars into a team capable of competing on multiple fronts, despite limited resources.
| ZALGIRIS | |||
| Head coach: Andrea Trinchieri | |||
| Centers | Laurynas Birutis | Bryant Dunston | |
| Power forwards | Brady Manek | Matt Mitchell | Alen Smailagic |
| Small forwards | Edgaras Ulanovas | Arnas Butkevicius | Deividas Sirvyidis |
| Shooting guards | Dovydas Giedraitis | Tomas Dimsa | Ignas Brazdeikis |
| Point guards | Sylvain Francisco | Tyrone Wallace | Lukas Lekavicius |
| Contract expired: | |||
| Left the club: Rolands Smits, Edmond Sumner, Demetre Rivers, Karolis Lukosiunas, Keenan Evans, Danielius Lavrinovicius, Kevarrius Hayes | |||
| New players: Deividas Sirvydis, Matt Mitchell, Alen Smailagic, Sylvain Francisco, Tyrone Wallace, Bryant Dunston, Ignas Brazdeikis | |||
Expectations for the new season
Zalgiris enters the new season with many changes and high expectations, even though their resources remain limited compared to bigger European clubs. Andrea Trinchieri’s arrival brings added weight to a team that, despite losing key players like Keenan Evans and Rolands Smits, will aim to remain competitive in both the EuroLeague and the domestic championship.
Known for his ability to get the most out of his team and create a recognizable style of play, Trinchieri’s signings of players like Sylvain Francisco and Tyrone Wallace show that Zalgiris remains committed to its ambitious plan. Now that Trinchieri has had the freedom to choose his reinforcements, a team that is combative and cohesive can be expected, with a focus on strong defense and disciplined offense. The return of Ignas Brazdeikis and the addition of Alen Smailagic, along with the experienced Bryant Dunston, should provide much-needed stability in the paint and a deeper rotation.
However, the biggest challenge will be integrating new players into the system and quickly adapting to the high demands of the EuroLeague. While Zalgiris may not enter the season as favorites, history shows that the team from Kaunas often surprises wealthier opponents.
Expectations are that Andrea Trinchieri, despite difficult circumstances, will manage to return Zalgiris to the fight for a EuroLeague playoff spot, while the goal in the domestic league will undoubtedly be reclaiming the throne.
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