was announced. In February, Žalgiris won the first title of the 2016–17 season, winning the King Mindaugas Cup by defeating Neptūnas in the first round 81–58, Vytautas Prienai-Birštonas in the semi-finals 76–55, and Lietkabelis Panevėžys in the finals 84–63. Edgaras Ulanovas won the tournament MVP. In the EuroLeague, Žalgiris exceeded expectations with a 10th-place finish (14–16 record), scoring a win against defending champion CSKA Moscow and finishing ahead of FC Barcelona Lassa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Players Brock Motum, Léo Westermann, Edgaras Ulanovas and Lukas Lekavičius developed strongly, and team captain Paulius Jankūnas played one of his best seasons of his career, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Žalgiris easily finished in first place during the LKL regular season with just a few losses, swept rival Lietuvos rytas, with toughest competition from a powerful Lietkabelis team which included former Žalgiris leaders Darjuš and Kšyštof Lavrinovič. In the LKL playoffs, Žalgiris beat Dzūkija Alytus in the quarterfinals 3–0, beat Neptūnas 3–1 in the semi-finals. They faced Lietkabelis Panevėžys again in the LKL finals, winning the series 4–1, their seventh consecutive LKL championship. The 2016–17 season is considered one of the best in modern Žalgiris history. 2017–18 Prior the 2017–18 season, Žalgiris reached an agreement with club sponsor Avia Solutions Group to guarantee private flights for the team during away games in a refurbished business-class Boeing 737. The off-season work began just a week after winning the LKL championship, when breakout player Brock Motum signing with Anadolu Efes S.K. To replace Motum, Žalgiris signed Aaron White, who had played a season with Zenit Saint Petersburg. Léo Westerman signed with CSKA Moscow, and was replaced by talented guard Vasilije Micić. To replace Seibutis, Žalgiris originally signed Royce O'Neale, who terminated his deal just weeks later to sign with the Utah Jazz. Žalgiris then signed Axel Toupane to replace him. Because center Robertas Javtokas announced retirement and the loan of Augusto Lima ended, Žalgiris signed Brandon Davies of AS Monaco Basket in the center position. The most-shocking departure came at the end of June, when breakout point guard Lukas Lekavičius signed a contract with Panathinaikos. Needing a new point guard, Žalgiris signed Dee Bost, also of AS Monaco. Coach Jasikevičius also re-signed with Žalgiris, while the retired Javtokas became the new sports director of the team. On September 22, Žalgiris played a game in London against Polski Cukier Toruń, which Žalgiris won 87–61.