With the EuroLeague Final Four having concluded in Abu Dhabi, where Fenerbahce lifted the title, the top tier of European basketball season is officially over. Consequently, teams are now actively preparing for the upcoming campaign. Among the clubs making moves in the market is Hapoel Tel Aviv, which recently clinched a spot in the EuroLeague by winning the BKT EuroCup Finals against Gran Canaria.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, under the guidance of coach Dimitris Itoudis, is reportedly on the verge of a significant acquisition, closing in on a deal with Elijah Bryant, one of the standout players of the recent campaign. According to Moshe Barda from the Israeli outlet ONE, Bryant is expected to sign a three-year contract "worth around 7.5M and upwards.” Further reports from “Kanal 5” suggest the American guard could finalize a three-year deal valued at approximately eight million dollars, a sum that would establish him as the highest-paid athlete in the club's history, surpassing previous high earners like Patrick Beverley and Johnathan Motley.

The 30-year-old Bryant, a former Milwaukee Bucks player, is coming off a fantastic season with Anadolu Efes. In this season’s EuroLeague, he was an undisputed leader for the Istanbul side, averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His shooting was also impressive, with 49.0% from two-point range and 90.0% from the free-throw line. This performance marked the most productive EuroLeague season of his career, culminating in a personal best of 526 total points.

During the five-game EuroLeague Playoff series against Panathinaikos, the forward maintained strong numbers, putting up 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. A move to Hapoel Tel Aviv would signify a return to Israel for Bryant, who has prior experience in the country, having played for Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2019 to 2021 and Hapoel Eilat for one season before that.

It has been reported that Anadolu Efes was keen on retaining Bryant in Istanbul for at least one more season, but it appears unlikely they will succeed in this effort as his next destination becomes clearer. While the potential signing of Bryant is a major development, Hapoel Tel Aviv has also secured the continuity of another key player, with Antonio Blakeney having signed a contract extension.