Uh oh, looks like Daniel Hackett might be in a lot of trouble. If our lead story on today’s gossip column develops more, we’ll bring you full coverage.

HACKETT AWOL FOR ITALY, TO BE DROPPED FROM MILANO?

EA7 Milano player Daniel Hackett reportedly left the Italian national side without permission – and now could face a suspension from the Italian Federation, and now could be released by the Euroleague club.

Per league rules, Hackett could face a suspension from Serie A from anytime between 5 and 12 months.

The combo guard has two years left on his contract with Milano, but if the Italian champions can’t use him in the league next season, they could decide to break the agreement, according to sources in Milan.

Milano president Livio Proli invited Hackett to re-join the training camp and talk with the Federation to explain his reasons.

UNICAJA MALAGA AFTER DEON THOMPSON?

It is understood that Unicaja Malaga are in “advanced” talks with Deon Thompson, Sportando reports.

Thompson has spent the last two years in Germany, playing for Alba Berlin, then spent last season with Bayern Munich, helping them to a Beko BBL title.

KIRILENKO: MESSINA LEAVING WAS RIGHT MOVE FOR CSKA

Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko says that Ettore Messina leaving CSKA Moscow was the right move for the Russian side.

The former CSKA Moscow man though didn’t hold back in an interview for SovSport.

“I think that it was the right decision,” Kirilenko said. ‘A coach cannot do as Messina did during the most important game of the season saying ‘I am not able to coach the team, I am leaving’.
“You are not a player and ask for a substitution is something goes wrong. You are the mentor and you have to motivate the team. You have to convince the team to fight till the end.
“I know how warm is the relationship between CSKA Moscow and Ettore Messina and I understand what he means for the fans. At the end of the season, he improved by winning VTB League. But in any case, the way he behaved during the spring time was wrong.”