Zalgiris sign Sabeckis, send Valinskas on loan to Lietkabelis

The defending Betsafe LKL champions Zalgiris announced more roster changes ahead of the new season, bringing in one of the league's top playmakers Donatas Sabeckis on board and sending Paulius Valinskas out on loan.

Having signed a one-year deal with an option for an extra season, the 25-year-old point guard Sabeckis arrives to Kaunas from Siauliai, where he formed a one-two punch with fellow Zalgiris newcomer Laurynas Birutis.

In his last campaign, the Kaunas-born backcourt stand-out averaged 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and a league-best 6.9 assists per game in the Betsafe LKL.

"Sabeckis made a name for himself in the Lithuanian championship last season and will now have a chance to prove that he is ready to enter a higher level. We expect him to help us both in Betsafe LKL and EuroLeague games," the club's sporting director Robertas Javtokas looked ahead.

To open up a roster spot for Sabeckis, Zalgiris sent 22-year-old combo guard Paulius Valinskas on loan to Lietkabelis with hopes of accelerating the player's development in a setting that will allow him to get more playing time.