NBA Veterans Cameron Payne, JaVale McGee, and D'Angelo Russell Secure Major International Contracts

The global basketball market is officially on fire as the 2026-27 season tips off, with a fresh wave of NBA veterans securing major overseas bags this weekend. Leading the charge is veteran point guard Cameron Payne, who inked a deal with Turkish heavyweight Anadolu Efes on Saturday.[3][4][5]

Payne’s pivot to the EuroLeague highlights a growing trend of European clubs aggressively poaching proven NBA rotation players. Anadolu Efes confirmed the signing on October 3, injecting instant backcourt firepower into a roster built for a deep title run.[3][5]

The Turkish club is banking on Payne's extensive playoff experience to navigate the grueling EuroLeague schedule. Having spent nearly a decade orchestrating NBA offenses, his ability to push the pace and create in the half-court makes him an ideal fit for the European style of play.[3]

As Basketball Sphere noted in their transaction tracker, 'The EuroLeague offseason moves fast, and every summer rebuilds the league before a single ball is tipped.' Payne's arrival in Istanbul is expected to fill a crucial playmaking void for the Turkish club.[3]

Shanghai Assembles Veteran Trio

Over in the Chinese Basketball Association, the Shanghai Sharks are assembling an absolute juggernaut of recognizable names. The defending CBA champions finalized agreements with three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee and former No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell.[1][6]

Russell's move to China represents a massive acquisition for the CBA, bringing a highly skilled offensive creator still in his prime to the league. The former All-Star is expected to shoulder a massive scoring load for Shanghai, pairing his perimeter shooting with McGee's interior presence.[1]

McGee, now 38, brings elite rim protection and championship pedigree to Shanghai after logging 909 NBA regular-season games from 2008 to 2024. He spent last season anchoring the paint for the Beijing Ducks, proving he still has plenty left in the tank for the international game.[1]

Joining McGee and Russell is 31-year-old guard Brandon Goodwin, who re-signed with Shanghai after a dominant 2025-26 campaign. Goodwin led the CBA in assists last season and captured Finals MVP honors while steering the Sharks to the league crown.[1]

CBA rules cap active rosters at three import players, and Shanghai has committed all three slots to this NBA-tested trio. The Russell-McGee-Goodwin core instantly makes the defending champions the overwhelming favorites to repeat.[1]

Meanwhile, the Greek league is making its own splash with a massive frontcourt addition. PAOK Thessaloniki announced on Sunday that they have secured 36-year-old Lithuanian center Donatas Motiejunas for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.[2]

Motiejunas Returns to EuroCup

Motiejunas arrives at PAOK after a grueling five-year stint in the EuroLeague, most recently appearing in 27 games for Crvena Zvezda in 2025-26. The 2.13-meter big man previously anchored AS Monaco's front line during four consecutive playoff campaigns.[2]

This signing marks a long-awaited return to the BKT EuroCup for Motiejunas, who last competed in the tournament during the 2010-11 season with Benetton Basket. PAOK head coach Andrea Trinchieri lands a highly skilled post operator with unmatched international reps.[2]

As Euroleague Basketball noted in their official release, 'PAOK Thessaloniki has bolstered its options at the 5 position by signing Donatas Motiejunas.' His veteran savvy is expected to stabilize their interior rotation for a deep postseason push.[2]

Amidst the signing frenzy, the global hoops community also bid farewell to a decorated floor general. Canadian point guard Kevin Pangos officially announced his retirement from professional basketball on Sunday via an emotional Instagram post.[1]

Pangos Announces Retirement

Pangos, 33, carved out a brilliant overseas career that included domestic championships in Italy and Lithuania. He reached the pinnacle of European basketball in 2021, earning All-EuroLeague First Team honors while orchestrating the offense for Zenit St. Petersburg.[1]

The former Gonzaga standout also logged 24 appearances for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2021-22 NBA season. His official retirement closes the book on a relentless, globe-trotting career that spanned multiple continents and top-tier leagues.[1]

As the global game expands, the financial and competitive draw of leagues like the EuroLeague and CBA has never been stronger. For veterans seeking massive roles and lucrative paydays, the international route remains the ultimate leverage play against the NBA bench.[1][3]