Maccabi Tel Aviv targets Nedović and Hayes to bolster squad

Maccabi Tel Aviv is looking to bolster the squad under head coach Oded Kattash by targeting both guard Nemanja Nedovic and former NBA playmaker Kilian Hayes, according to reports. Despite launching their domestic campaign with a commanding Super Cup victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv by nearly twenty points, the Israeli club has moved quickly to address early-season roster limitations.

Parallel Pursuits in the Guard Market

The club’s recruitment strategy involves two distinct tracks that are not mutually exclusive. According to reports from the Israeli outlet Sport5, Maccabi has placed Kilian Hayes on its radar alongside Nedovic. Hayes brings extensive North American experience, having logged 239 appearances in the NBA across stints with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Cleveland, and Sacramento. The bulk of that tenure came in Detroit, where the 6-foot-5 guard played 210 games over four seasons. His most productive campaign came in 2022-23, when he averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per contest. Before crossing the Atlantic, Hayes played professionally in France and Germany, featuring in the EuroCup.

Oded Kattash Confirms Front Office Urgency

Speaking ahead of a EuroLeague road fixture against Red Star in Belgrade, Kattash addressed the club’s active search for new talent. The head coach noted that ownership is fully aligned on the need to add pieces without running into financial constraints. “The owners of Maccabi are very involved, there is a strong desire to add a new player,” Kattash said. “There are no hidden messages, the situation is this. We are all at work. There are no limitations by the management, in fact, they are urging us to close a deal. We must identify the right profile in a fragmented market, someone who meets our quality standards. We have no budget problems.”

Addressing Roster Needs Before EuroLeague Tests

The urgency behind Maccabi’s market activity stems from a desire to elevate the team’s ceiling following an opening stretch that fell short of internal expectations. With the competition in both the Israeli Premier League and the EuroLeague intensifying, management is prepared to invest heavily to secure a player capable of dictating tempo and scoring efficiently. Whether the club lands Hayes, Nedovic, or both, the front office has signaled to the coaching staff that financial backing is fully secured to finalize a transaction.

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