The Toronto Raptors waived Linas Kleiza by way of the amnesty clause earlier this week, and reports surfaced that nobody picked up the Lithuanian forward before he cleared waivers on Thursday afternoon. That likely means Kleiza's career in the NBA is complete, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, as he's reporting there's a "strong possibility" Kleiza heads back overseas.
Linas Kleiza could play overseas after clearing amnesty waivers
Linas Kleiza will likely play overseas next season. The 28-year-old Lithuanian cleared waivers on Thursday after the Toronto Raptors used their amnesty clause on him earlier in the week.
USA TODAY Sports
Kleiza has struggled with injury and production injuries ever since returning to the NBA at the age of 25 when he signed a four-year, $18.8 million offer with the Raptors in July of 2010. The 6’8 forward averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds while playing just 20 games for Toronto this past year.
It isn’t going to be a surprise if Kleiza’s next stop is overseas. He’s played well each time he represented Lithuania in international competition and found success in Euroleague play with Olympiacos during the 2009-10 season when he took a one-year break from the NBA. He averaged 17.1 points and 6.5 rebounds that season.
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