Spanish basketball club Baskonia faces severe roster depletion after canceling a preseason friendly against Askatuak Gipuzkoa while center Khalifa Diop travels to the United States for physical evaluations with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to reports from Spanish outlet Marca and basketball publications.
Baskonia Preseason Friendly Canceled Due to Roster Shortages
Preparations for the upcoming season in Vitoria hit a major roadblock when Baskonia announced the cancellation of their scheduled preseason exhibition match against Askatuak Gipuzkoa. According to reports, the club lacked a sufficient number of players to contest the fixture safely and competitively. The team’s active roster has been heavily depleted by international commitments and delayed arrivals heading into September.
Khalifa Diop Travels to Cleveland for NBA Physical Evaluations
The most significant disruption involves center Khalifa Diop, who traveled to the United States with the permission of the Spanish club to undergo medical evaluations with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the operation has not been finalized as an official transaction, Cavaliers personnel are evaluating the 7-foot-1-inch center to determine a potential roster spot for the upcoming campaign. Diop remains under contract with Baskonia, meaning any permanent departure would require a buyout agreement between the two clubs.
Broader Roster Strain and Frontcourt Depth Concerns
The potential exit of Diop creates a critical depth issue for head coach and staff heading into competitive action. During the previous EuroLeague campaign, the 24-year-old center averaged 4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and a 6.1 performance index rating across 16 minutes per contest. With Diop stateside, veteran center Kenneth Faried has not yet joined the squad in Vitoria, leaving the frontcourt critically thin during early September training sessions. Additional absences compound the issue, as Kobi Simmons and Damion Baugh remain away from the club due to national team duties with Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, respectively.
