More than a month after the opening of the free agency and two months before the start of the new season, it is time to take stock of the French NBA players for the 2024–25 season.
As it stands, there are six new and eight old players, or 14 Blues who (logically) do not have to worry about their future, with a few pending cases. The French record present in the Major League is already equaled and could therefore be beaten in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, outside the United States, France will not be the best represented country in the NBA, because Canada and its twenty representatives will not be able to catch up this year.
THEY ARE COMING
After his excellent Olympic Games, Guershon Yabusele (Sixers) has hoped to get a new chance in the NBA and he is the last Frenchman to have crossed the Atlantic. On the rookie side, there is obviously Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks) and Alexandre Sarr (Wizards), the first two picks of the 2024 Draft, who are arriving. Not to mention Tidjane Salaün (Hornets), also chosen in the Top 10, as well as Pacôme Dadiet (Knicks) and the two-way contract Armel Traore (Lakers).
THEY STAY
If Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Bilal Coulibaly (Wizards), Ousmane Dieng (Thunder), Sidy Cissoko (Spurs) and Rayan Rupert (Blazers) don't budge from the franchise, impossible to say the same for Nicolas Batum (Clippers) and the two-way contract Moussa Diabate (Hornets), who continue in the NBA but in a new environment (or almost, because Batum knows Los Angeles well).
THEY ARE LEAVING
Already free of any contract at the end of the season, Frank Ntilikina acted on his departure from the United States by joining Serbia and Partizan Belgrade. As for Theo Maledonhe also put his NBA adventure on hold by returning to France, to ASVEL. Seen in the Summer League, Melvin Ajinça (drafted by the Mavericks) and Nadir Hifi will gain experience for another year in France, at ASVEL and Paris Basketball.
THEY ARE IN THE FUZZ
Still waiting for a contract, Evan Fournier does not know if he will be able to play a 13th season in the league or if he will have to return to Europe to continue his career. For his part, Killian Hayes (Nets) belongs to a team, but his contract is not guaranteed and he will have to prove himself during the training camp of September. For Malcolm Cazalonno news from him after his time with the Pistons, while Olivier Sarr is seriously injured and therefore still convalescing.
