What gives? Days after Lithuania-based Basket News reported that the former Olympiacos/current locked-out Toronto Raptor wouldn’t be playing for Lietuvos Rytas any time soon, Linas Kleiza – or at least reportage regarding Linas Kleiza – has made a 180º turn in viewpoint in the past week vis-à-vis returning to Europe.
This morning, Lithuania Basketball has Kleiza quoted as saying that in fact he *will* be returning to play for one of his home country’s two powerhouse clubs – L. Rytas or Žalgiris Kaunas – and that’s it’s merely a matter of time.
Reports Lithuania Basketball, in part: “‘We’ll see how things pan out. I can’t say that the negotiations are intense […] the situation with Lietuvos Rytas is very clear, but I haven’t heard anything concrete from Žalgiris,’ said Kleiza.
“Lithuanian businessman and professional poker player Antanas Guoga, who is a good friend of Kleiza, is ready to cover both the salary of the player and the insurance-related costs.
“Guoga has confirmed that he has spoken to Žalgiris owner Vladimir Romanov about the opportunity for Kleiza to play in Kaunas, but is waiting for [Romanov] to field an offer…”
So just your standard stuff in the Lithuanian media, then…
