Maccabi, Keith Langford reach verbal agreement

Maccabi Tel Aviv and veteran combo-scorer Keith Langford reached a two-season verbal agreement effective this offseason, according to sources.

Langford, bound to reunite with his former sweetheart, won multiple MVP awards in 2012 under head coach David Blatt, leading the Israeli power-club to the Adriatic League title, the Israeli cup, and the Israeli crown, averaging 14.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 dimes while shooting north of 41% from distance.

Amid its worst season in franchise history, Maccabi have started reshaping its roster, signing Richard Hendrix out of Unicaja Malaga till the end of next season for $800 thousand total. It remains to be seen if Maccabi exercise its option on head coach Zan Tabak, but - sources said - winning the domestic championship carries a lot of weight in front office decisions.

Just a few days ago Maccabi swallowed another defeat, this time to crosstown rival Hapoel Tel Aviv, who demolished the yellow-and-blue 84:68. It was that night, one Maccabi insider told me, that negotiations of a $3 million partnership with Keith Langford accelerated.

Langford is coming off a lucrative partnership with Unics Kazan in Russia, but won't live to become a free agent. The former Kansas product and No. 1 scorer on the continent, took a swing at Maccabi not long ago with a EuroCup best 30 points and 9 boards in a victory over the Israelis.

Langford, a savvy left-handed assassin has bolted his Russian club to the No. 2 seed of the strong VTB League, posting 20.8 points on 44.7% shooting from deep.

News by David Pick
Twitter: @IAmDPick