Daniel Theis Reportedly Considering Signing With European Club

February 9, 2025

Veteran NBA center Daniel Theis is reportedly considering a return to the EuroLeague after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week, with AS Monaco emerging as the frontrunner to sign him, according to Greek outlet SDNA, via Hoops Rumors.

Theis, who joined the New Orleans Pelicans as a free agent during the offseason, was traded to Oklahoma City at Thursday’s trade deadline along with a 2031 second-round draft pick. The move to unload his minimum-salary contract helped New Orleans fall below the luxury tax threshold.

Having cleared waivers, the 32-year-old big man is now free to sign with any NBA team. However, given his recent circumstances, a return to Europe may be his best option.

Theis played for four EuroLeague teams before coming to the NBA in 2017, and his familiarity with European basketball may lead him back to that league.

SDNA reports that Monaco is currently leading the race for Theis due to his connection with the team’s personnel. He worked with assistant coach Ilias Kantzouris for three seasons at Brose Bamberg and was also a former teammate of Monaco’s star player, Nikos Zisis.

Panathinaikos has also expressed interest in signing Theis and is reportedly willing to outbid Monaco. However, SDNA notes that financial incentives may not be the primary factor in Theis’s decision as he weighs his options.

Over the course of his eight NBA seasons, Theis has played for six teams, beginning with the Boston Celtics, who signed him in 2017. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls at the 2021 deadline and then to the Houston Rockets later that year. He also had brief stints with the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers before joining New Orleans.

Theis has appeared in 411 total NBA games, making 160 starts and averaging 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Additionally, he has made a name for himself in international basketball, serving as the starting center for the undefeated German team that won the 2023 FIBA World Cup.