Hapoel Tel Aviv Signs Tamir Blatt, Who Was Not Wanted by Coach Itoudis, and the Israeli is Now Expected to Depart

In a surprising turn of events, Israeli guard Tamir Blatt, who recently signed a lucrative three-year deal with Hapoel Tel Aviv, appears to be on his way out before even playing a game for the team. Reports from Israel suggest that coach Dimitris Itoudis does not count on the player for the upcoming season.

Blatt's acquisition by Hapoel was announced on August 3, with the player agreeing to a contract reportedly worth 3.9 million euros. He left rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv to join the team across town. However, Israeli media outlet ynet reports that Blatt is not part of Itoudis's strategic plans for the new season. The situation is so fluid that Blatt is reportedly not expected to travel with the team for the initial phase of their preseason training in Sofia.

Hapoel Tel Aviv's management is actively exploring options for Blatt's future. A loan move to another EuroLeague team is being considered, with the club apparently willing to subsidize a portion of his substantial contract to help facilitate his departure. Blatt's performance statistics from the previous EuroLeague season included averages of 6.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.9 rebounds, with shooting percentages of 36.5% from three-point range and 46.7% from two-point range. In the Israeli league, he averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game.