It has been three games, but the Filipino phenom Kai Sotto still hasn’t logged any playing time in the 2k24 NBA Summer League. The tourney is coming to an end and Kai’s chance of seeing action with the Orlando Magic is getting slimmer each day. The NBA Summer League, where the best and brightest young stars try to prove their worth in the NBA, is the best place for Kai to showcase that he is a superb talent. However, if his stint with the Magic finally closes, what could be next for Kai Sotto?
G-League
Back in 2020, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Kai Sotto joined the NBA G League Ignite, forgoing his college eligibility. Although there were numerous NCAA Division 1 offers, Sotto chose the G-League to sharpen his skills. However, he would part ways with the team and will not see action in the developmental league due to health protocols.
Right now, Sotto is still aiming to become the first full-blooded Filipino to ever play in the NBA. With that, taking his talents to the G-League could be his best option since he was benched in the Summer League.
Japan B.League
Technically, Kai Sotto is still a member of the Hiroshima Dragonflies, a team in Japan B.League. The 21-year-old center re-signed with the Dragonflies for the 2023-2024 season, but his contract has a special clause in it. According to his team, if Sotto gets picked up by an NBA team during the Summer League, they [Dragonflies] will let him go.
“So if he signs with an NBA team this summer, there is a possibility that his contract with Hiroshima will be canceled,” said Dragonflies general manager Shuji Okazaki.
Kai Sotto gears up for Hiroshima Dragonflies in Japan B.League https://t.co/Nxh2BuS6pt Photos from B.League pic.twitter.com/AQkrlqnxBO
— SPIN.ph (@spinph) March 1, 2023
That being said, although we want to be very optimistic, Kai Sotto must return to Japan to exercise his contract with the Dragonflies in the upcoming season. Last season, the Kaiju posted 9.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 21 games played.
National Basketball League (Australia)
For two seasons, Kai had a pretty good outing in Australia’s National Basketball League. While playing for the Adelaide 36ers, Sotto put up decent numbers despite having limited playing time. His experience in Australia is a great addition to his resume.
Returning to the NBL is not Sotto’s top priority right now, but it is still a plausible option. His name is getting a lot of hype and if he returns to the league, he may see more playing time as he improves.
Europe
As of recent memory, there’s only one Filipino who has officially signed a contract with a European team – and that is Juan Gómez de Liaño. The 22-year-old had just recently signed BC Wolves in Lithuania. Now that we know there’s a chance Filipino basketball players can play in Europe, it means Kai Sotto can play there too.
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippines’ very own professional basketball league could be a destination for Kai but it is highly unlikely. Though he is going to be a superstar there, this would halt any plans he has on playing for an NBA team in the future.
Taking this step would make Sotto the tallest player in the Filipino league. He could potentially become the best center against bigs like Junemar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, and could even become the best player and MVP for years.
Where do you think will Kai Sotto play next? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us here at Spiel Times. Make sure you subscribe to our push notifications and never miss an update. You can also follow us on Spiel Anime, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Until next time!
