“It is true that Lietuvos Rytas are interested in the tandem. Moreover, we are in an advanced stage of negotiations,” said the representative of both the coach and the player, Misko Raznatovic, who is the head of the BeoBasket agency, with which Lietuvos Rytas have close ties.
Despite being given the reigns of the club just a month before the Lithuanian League (LKL) finals, it seems that Darius Maskoliunas will have to make way for Aleksandar Dzikic. The 40-year-old Serb has enjoyed success at Krka Novo Mesta, with which he won the Slovenian top flight last season and also took the EuroChallenge trophy this year.
Dzikic was recently appointed as the head coach of the Serbian U20 squad. What is also interesting, the Serbian specialist was only the second European to become an NBA assistant coach when he enjoyed a short stint in the Minnesota Timberwolves coaching staff.
In addition to a coaching change, Lietuvos Rytas are looking to tab Predrag Samardziski – a 25-year-old Macedonian center, who had a great season at Olin Edirne, averaging 12.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in the Turkish Basketball League (TBL).
The club from Vilnius is looking for almost a complete overhaul of their frontcourt as Milko Bjelica, Kenan Bajramovic and Cemal Nalga are all set to leave the team, while the future of Lithuania’s top prospect Jonas Valanciunas is still unclear.
