CHICAGO - After his first attempt to play in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) was foiled by an existing Gilas Pilipinas contract that he was tethered to, Will Navarro will now hoop in the Land of the Morning Calm.
Back in September 17, 2022, his then deal with Seoul Samsung was voided after the 6-foot-6 forward failed to secure a Letter of Clearance from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
It's been 1,053 days since, but the wait proved worthwhile.
READ Will Navarro completes move to Korea team Busan KCC Egis
According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, the contract Navarro signed with the KCC Busan Egis is a one-year deal worth P1.3 million a month or US$23,214.
Just like in the Japan B.League, if Navarro turns his potential into performance, his renewal contract will rise significantly in value.
During his brief tenure at NorthPort, Navarro made the Batang Pier relevant to a point where they were almost mistaken as real contenders. He is expected to make a similar impact with the Egis, who are coming off a challenging 18-36 season.
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Navarro's rich deal, which is more than three times' the PBA's maximum of P420,000 a month, raises the stakes on Magnolia's contract renewal talks with Zav Lucero, inarguably the Hotshots' best player.
Prior to eventually signing Rhenz Abando last week, sources in Korea revealed that the Anyang Red Boosters laid in wait for Lucero and were prepared to give the former UP Fighting Maroons juggernaut a package worth $14,000 a month in Year One and $20,000 in Year 2.
The disparity between Navarro's and Lucero's offers is a function of KCC having a wealthier budget and not necessarily because one player is better than the other.
Magnolia and Lucero's camp are tight-lipped on the progress, if any, in the negotiations.
But a league source told me on Tuesday night that the Hotshots' offer is "somewhere between $14,000 to $20,000" including perks and bonuses.
Understanbly, the frustrations birthed by the franchise's inability to win a title since 2018 has made Magnolia recalcitrant to open the wallet.
THE HOTSHOTS NEED TO RETHINK THAT POSITION.
Despite being misused and underutilized by former coach Chito Victolero, Zavier averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.08 assists in the PBA Philippine Cup where he shot a blistering 41.3 percent from 3.
At age 26, he is merely scratching the surface of his prime. Without him, Magnolia's championship drought will fester like those brutal droughts in the Horn of Africa.
READ LA Tenorio joins players in Magnolia's centennial anniversary
Meanwhile, the Hotshots, minus Lucero and Raffi Raffi Reavis, who are still in the US, were at posh Shangri-la for a dinner last night to celebrate Magnolia's "100 Years of Goodness."
Amid rumors of a revamp, the team is set to begin practicing this Monday.
It will be interesting to find out in the next few days or weeks who is staying and leaving under new bench boss LA Tenorio.
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