Zalgiris strengthened its roster with Lithuania
international Rimantas Kaukenas, who agreed to a one-year deal with the club
from Kaunas.
The 35-year-old shooting guard will come back
to Lithuania after spending the last season with Montepaschi Siena, with which
he won already his fifth Italian league title.
“When Joan Plaza became the head coach of the
club, we asked him to form the team’s vision and Rimantas Kaukenas was one of
the primary targets,” said the club’s sporting director Vitoldas Masalkis.
According to Masalksis, the contract will take
effect after a medical examination. Kaukenas has just recently recovered after
having surgery to repair the injured anterior cruciate ligament in the middle
of last season.
“We spoke Rimantas about his physical condition
and he assured us that he feels well, but still needs more time to get back
closer to his optimal shape,” said the sporting director of the club.
Masalskis also revealed that the club is still
searching for players in two positions.
“While we were waiting for an answer from Sarunas Jasikevicius, Earl Colloway decided to choose Malaga, so we’re looking
at other options at the point guard spot. Big men are also on our radar, as it
is still unclear when Robertas Javtokas will be able to play again,” said
Masalskis.
