Israeli big man Roman Sorkin has become one of Europe’s rising names, and NBA teams are starting to take notice. The New York Knicks recently reached out to Maccabi Tel Aviv about bringing the 6-foot-10 center in for a short trial period, but the club turned them down.
The Knicks reportedly offered to pay Maccabi up to $1 million if they decided to sign Sorkin after a four-to-seven-day workout. But Maccabi refused, saying Sorkin is expected to be their lead center this season and that they can’t afford to lose him just weeks before the season begins.
Sorkin, 27, had an NBA opt-out clause worth $500,000, but it expired on July 28. It will reopen next summer. People close to him were surprised at the rejection, since they believed Maccabi would allow him to pursue an NBA opportunity.
Sorkin boosted his profile this summer at EuroBasket, where he averaged 16.5 points and 6 rebounds in six games for Israel. He had a breakout performance in the opener, dropping 31 points and 7 rebounds in a win over Iceland.
NBA Insider's Ian Begley reported Tuesday that Sorkin has drawn interest not only from the Knicks but also from the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers, where fellow Israeli Deni Avdija plays. “Sorkin, who is under contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv, was one of the standout big men in the EuroLeague last season,” Begley wrote.
This isn’t Sorkin's first brush with the NBA. In July 2024, Sorkin suited up for the Golden State Warriors in Summer League, averaging 7.5 points and 8 rebounds per game. Soon after, he signed a five-year extension with Maccabi worth about $970,000 per season.