Sylvain Francisco Says Opportunity With Bulls Fell Through

French guard Sylvain Francisco, who finished runner-up for last season’s EuroLeague MVP award, recently told L’Equipe (subscriber link) that multiple NBA teams offered him guaranteed money in free agency. However, he ultimately stayed in Europe with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos after initially signing with ASVEL, as Aris Barkas of Eurohoops relays.

Francisco admitted he was disappointed his NBA opportunities fell through following a strong 2025/26 season with Zalgiris Kaunas in which he averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal on .452/.399/.800 shooting splits in 38 EuroLeague appearances (27.2 minutes per game) with the Lithuanian club.

“Yes, in the NBA, there were openings, at least five or six teams, many on guaranteed two-year contracts,” Francisco reportedly said. “I had the opportunity with the Chicago Bulls, but the trade they wanted to make before stalled because in the NBA, everyone was waiting for LeBron’s decision. However, my deadline (to active his NBA out clause from ASVEL) was until July 20, and LeBron signed… four days later.

“So, that’s where all the teams really started to transfer players, make more trades. It’s a shame,” Francisco continued. “I was a little angry, let’s say. But it’s something I don’t have control over. In the end, it can be a blessing in disguise. I stay in Europe.”

Francisco, who went undrafted in 2019 and played for Milwaukee’s Summer League team in 2022, also discussed ASVEL’s financial issues which led to his departure from Lyon. Still, the 28-year-old point guard is happy to be back in Greece after spending the 2022/23 campaign with Peristeri.

“It wasn’t up to me to deal with this situation with ASVEL,” said Francisco, who also plays for the French national team. “So I let my agents take care of that. It was a bit hard, let’s say. When the French financial authorities come, and they are strict like that, it’s difficult. The project that was in place with ASVEL was very interesting. With the team we would have had, we could have done something in the first year, to then become a big team, reputable, capable of making the play-offs and the Final Four of the Euroleague.”