Daniel Theis has officially found a new home overseas. The former Celtic center inked a deal with AS Monaco in the EuroLeague through the 2025-26 season according to a release from the team.
The 32-year-old German center played with the New Orleans Pelicans this season but was dealt at the trade deadline to the Oklahoma City Thunder to enable the Pelicans to avoid the luxury tax. The Thunder proceeded to waive Theis almost immediately after completing the deal, absorbing his salary in order to land an extra second-round pick from the Pelicans.
Theis averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 38 appearances for the Pelicans this year.
In the wake of the Lakers trade for Mark Williams falling through and a host of injuries to the Dallas Mavericks frontcourt, Theis was set to be one of more appealing free agent bigs available on the free agent market. However, the 6-foot-9 center elected to end the NBA chapter of his career for now. He spoke about his decision in an interview published on the Monaco website via Eurohoops.net
“Monaco has built something big in recent years by reaching the Final Four and currently ranking among the top four in the EuroLeague standings,” Theis said, “I wanted to be part of this adventure, to win, to have a chance to conquer EuroLeague, to be competitive.”
Theis began his career in the EuroLeague playing 54 games for Brose Bamberg before signing with the Celtics ahead of the 2017-18 season. He had two stints in Boston during his career and spoke fondly of his time with the Celtics.
“For most of the time, I had a good experience with successful runs. I went to the Finals with the Boston Celtics,” Theis said in a team interview. “I played in the Eastern Conference Finals several times. I played with great players. I met a lot of friends. It remains a great chapter in my professional career.”
Theis had seen diminishing roles in recent years in the NBA and appeared to be energized by the prospect of doing more in the EuroLeague where every game matters more.
“In the NBA you play more than 80 games and if you lose one or two, it is easy to catch up and recover,” Theis said. “In the EuroLeague, even with 34 games, every loss counts. The NBA is probably faster and more athletic, but I think the EuroLeague emphasizes more on tactics. I think because of the rules, you can also play more physical defense.”
Theis joins a AS Monaco team that has several former NBA players already suited up for it in Nick Calathes, Mike James and Donatas Motiejunas. 2021 Celtics second-round pick Juhann Begarin is also a part of the AS Monaco roster.
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