Basketball is a global sport now, and the NBA isn’t the only stage. Case in point: Vasilije Micic, the 31‑year‑old Serbian guard who couldn’t crack the Suns’ core rotation, is this close to signing a hefty $12 million, three‑year deal with EuroLeague champs Fenerbache, rejoining coach Sarunas Jasikevicius in Istanbul.
This trend hints at something seismic. Veteran role players, particularly the ones caught in the revolving NBA door, might soon swap G‑League runs for playoff nights in China, Istanbul, Madrid, or Athens. Imagine a mid‑tier NBA backup like Spencer Dinwiddie or Bojan Bogdanovic opting for a starting role overseas? What about big-name stars such as Russell Westbrook or Ben Simmons? Very possible.
Overall, the NBA faces not only global expansion but potential contraction of its player pool. And 2025–26 might be the tipping point. Let’s go through the list of NBA stars who could try their luck overseas next year.
1. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is on the second (player-option) year of a 2-year, $6.8M deal with Denver for 2025‑26, giving him a $3.47M salary if he opts in, That’s a far cry from his peak, but he’s embraced the role and the bargain basement price tag for now.
He averaged 13.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.9 RPG over 75 games with Denver, often delivered vintage all-around play, and his trademark energy, even as shots and percentages dipped. Russ plays best in the spotlight, and if he’s healthy, we expect him to return, unless he wants to chase a big overseas payday at the tail end.
There have been rumors of Westbrook potentially signing for Hapoel Tel Aviv, although there have been no reports of a deal being worked on just yet. Whatever happens, the future Hall of Famer will certainly be thinking about his future because the chaos of the NBA might be weighing on him after a few difficult seasons.
2. Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons was limited to 51 games, averaging 5.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.6 APG on 52% shooting. That was nothing like the All-Star days, but he still dishes and defends at a high level and is still a supreme athlete.
He’s now a role player on a vet-min, CBA, or Europe could clog the floor and let him regain some swagger, and he could be chasing a top-dollar gig overseas. After all, Simmons wrapped up his 5‑year, $177M deal in Brooklyn and drew a $1.08M minimum contract to finish with the Clippers.
He’ll be a 2025 unrestricted free agent, so he could be looking for his next ticket to top up his bank balance once again. No doubt, Simmons could regain the form that once made him a global star if he leaves America for greener pastures.
3. Bojan Bogdanovic
Bojan’s two‑year, $39M deal (signed 2023) runs through 2024‑25, then expires, sending him into unrestricted free agency in summer 2025. Unfortunately for him, last season was a wreck.
He sat out the playoffs with New York thanks to foot and wrist surgery, got traded to Brooklyn in July, and underwent season‑ending foot surgery in February without playing a single game. At 36, his shooting stroke still has value, and both Europe (where elite shooters are coveted) and China (for scoring vets) would welcome him.
But rehab is uncertain. If he proves he’s healthy, expect a Euro team to take a swing. If not, he might chase the last NBA recruitment via vets’ minimums, perhaps as a bench stretch.
4. Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie is heading to free agency after completing a $3,303,771 deal with the Mavericks in 2024-25. This past season, he carved out a key bench role: 11.0 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.6 RPG across 79 games (30 starts), all in 27.0 minutes a night. Head coach Jason Kidd has leaned on him, and while his play isn’t spectacular, there’s a refined pro in there.
Looking ahead, Dinwiddie is squarely in the NBA’s “rotation tweener” zone. He’s neither a core piece nor likely to find mega offers overseas. Europe and China will make calls, Euro clubs might respect his playmaking, or CBA teams might pay for scoring punch. It is up to Dinwiddie to see if he wants a different challenge as he exits the prime of his career for good.
5. Dario Saric
In 2024‑25, Dario Saric was limited, 3.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, shooting just 36.2% across low minutes. Other than a busted nightclub scuffle in Greece (yikes), he quietly did little in Denver’s rotation.
At age 31, Saric is firmly in the “veteran Euro/Liga-ready” category. He’s too high-paid and low-impact to return easily in the NBA. A club like Fenerbache, or even a mid-tier Spanish side, would see his spacing experience and international demeanor as major assets. Europe’s calling, and he’s at the age and wage where a switch feels imminent.
6. Bones Hyland
This season with the Wolves, Bones Hyland posted 6.2 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, shooting sub‑40% in a limited run. He was traded midseason (and shuffled contract-wise) without long-term commitment, so his NBA future is looking uncertain.
Hyland is essentially a classic “bubble prospect” on the fringe of NBA minutes. Europe or even the G‑League could give him starter’s minutes and a path to rebuild his value. China might provide a short-term scoring role. But for 2025‑26? Unless he rediscovers scoring mojo, his future likely includes a quick overseas rebrand.
7. Torrey Craig
Craig was on a one-year, $1.05 million veteran minimum deal with Boston, expiring in 2025 as an unrestricted free agent. This past season, he chipped in 4.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, shooting 42.2% while playing hustle minutes off the bench. He was Boston’s deadline depth add, providing toughness, not offense.
At 34, Craig is a classic veteran wing on thin ice in the NBA. Europe likely prizes his grit and defensive IQ; his salary there could easily match the NBA vet minimum. Unless another team values his energy, expect 2025‑26 to be a crossroads, either another minimum deal in the NBA or a fresh start abroad.
8. DeAndre Jordan
Jordan’s one-year veteran minimum (about $3.3M) with Denver expires after 2024‑25; he’ll be a UFA in summer 2025. Age 36, he averaged 3.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG on an impressive 65% shooting, mostly mop-up minutes. He remains a lob threat and anchor in the paint, but spot minutes only.
At this stage, overseas looks unlikely; Euro centers want mobility beyond DeAndre’s current range. China might throw him a low‐level contract, but he likely hangs on in the NBA as a veteran backup or mentors younger bigs. One more season in a similar role seems plausible if he wants it.
9. Alec Burks
In 2024‑25, Alec Burks managed 7.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.1 APG on 42.5% shooting, and briefly lit it up in the Heat’s playoff run, pouring 17.8 PPG in five postseason games. Burks can still score and is very experienced, so he might cash in on a deal outside the NBA if it’s available.
His veteran scoring fits Euro clubs that prize shooting wings, and the CBA could pay well if he leans that way. But given his playoff performance and fit as a bench spark, another year in the NBA seems likely, Miami or elsewhere, with Europe patiently waiting.
10. Doug McDermott
Sacramento signed McDermott to a one-year, $3.3M minimum in October 2024; he’ll be a free agent in July 2025. In 2024‑25, he averaged 3.5 PPG, 0.5 RPG, fewer than six minutes a night on 42.7% shooting. Mostly a locker-room guy and garbage-time shooter.
He’s a textbook Euro back‑up stretch. McDermott’s three-point shooting and professionalism align with European roles; he’s linked with mid-tier Euro clubs and could even chase ACB minutes. If he wants to keep his NBA seat, it’ll be a vet minimum job, and we wouldn’t be surprised if he jumps overseas for a starting gig and end-game pay.
