Free agent Shane Larkin has agreed to a deal with Spanish club Laboral Kutxa Baskonia, the team announced.
Larkin is the second notable free agent heading to Baskonia from the NBA this summer. Baskonia had agreed to a deal with veteran big man Andrea Bargnani just weeks ago.
In 78 appearances with Brooklyn last season, Larkin held career-high averages of 7.3 points and 4.4 assists per contest. Larkin’s shooting has steadily improved since being drafted. Last season, he shot 44% from the field and 36% from deep, also career-highs.
Larkin, 23, made stops with Dallas, New York, and Brooklyn during his first three seasons in the NBA. It’s unclear whether or not Larkin would be interested in coming back to the NBA.
Larkin was selected No. 18 in the 2013 draft by Atlanta, who later dealt him to Dallas. He was then traded again twelve months later, this time to the New York Knicks.
His less-than-smooth run with the Knicks playing as reserve point guard to veteran Jose Calderon later led to him signing a deal with Brooklyn in 2015.
I asked Shane what he was looking forward to most about joining the Nets last summer:
“Getting back into a pick-and-roll offense and helping the team win in any way”, Larkin said. “Just helping the team win. Also, becoming a better player and realizing my potential”.
Larkin produced career-high numbers with the Nets last year under coaches Lionel Hollins and Tony Brown. At 23 years old, Larkin aims to continue improving over the course of the next few years in hopes of one day landing a big contract down the road.
Larkin had received little interest on the market this summer, with one source indicating the always aggressive Miami Heat had taken a “hard look” at the former University of Miami product. Miami ultimately pursued shooting guard depth after the departure of Dwyane Wade, signing Wayne Ellington and Dion Waiters to deals.
Brooklyn never intended on bringing Larkin back, and it’s likely Larkin was looking to move on as well.
Larkin had opted out of his deal with the Nets on June 2nd.
