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Q. I got another question that just came to came to mind, go play for the NBA expansion team in Las Vegas or play for Barcelona. Same contract, same money. 150 million deal. Hugo Gonzalez: I'll play for Las Vegas. Derrick White: You never know where life goes, you know? He could be 15 years down the line he's like, "Man, maybe I want to." Gonzalez: It’s not because I don't like Barcelona, I got a lot of family that supports Barcelona and they're really close to it and I really respect it. The point is like basically I've been in Real Madrid since I'm 11. So like they basically teaching me how to play basketball. So like as just as a sign of respect, not because I don't like Barcelona. I think Barcelona is a great team, a great organization.
Derrick White: Choose, hit the game winner for Barcelona against Real Madrid in Madrid or lead Atletico fans in their anthem after they finally beat Madrid in the Champions League final. Hugo Gonzalez: Because I got a lot of family that is from Atletico, I'll just say Atletico. So also, I play Real Madrid basketball too. So I would not like it. White: You wouldn't play for Barça? Gonzalez: I wouldn't like it, honestly.
Amid reports that the NBA offered roughly $581M to buy EuroLeague -- and dangled entry fees of about $447M for EuroLeague teams to join NBA Europe -- sources said senior NBA leadership attended London’s Ballon d’Or Monday night and potentially held advanced discussions with several potential franchises.
Over the weekend, Britain’s Sky Sports reported that PSG, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid were expected to attend the Ballon d’Or event -- soccer’s preeminent award presentation -- and that NBA Europe could be broached in either casual or formal conversations. However, Barcelona-based publication Sport reported that Barcelona and Bayern (two EuroLeague clubs) were not expected to be in London and that, instead, Real Madrid remains the EuroLeague team most likely to engage with NBA executives. PSG does not have a basketball team and is also likely to continue talks about launching an NBA Europe franchise.
Regardless, sources believe a topic in London could be the price points of joining the league, which are only now coming to light. Sport reported Sunday that the NBA offered €520 (the equivalent of $581.41M) to purchase the 13-team EuroLeague, which boils down to €40 per franchise. At the same time, Sport reported that instead of paying $500M to $1B to permanently join NBA Europe, the NBA would allow its preferred EuroLeague teams to pay €400 (or $447M) -- a presumed discount.
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He had been in conversations with the Cavaliers for more than a year and a half before his eventual return to the league. Cleveland’s interest never wavered. Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman and his staff continued scouting talent in Europe, keeping tabs on Hezonja. He was equally eager to return to the NBA, but with his contract with Real Madrid still active at the time, he had to wait for the right opportunity to make the move. “They were just high on me all the way along, and the coaching staff and my teammates made it super comfortable for me to make the transition,” Hezonja said.
Meanwhile, Spanish teams have the most wins (seven, with 17 losses) against NBA rivals, while Russians have the best win percentage (30.0 percent, on a 3-7 record) against NBA foes. In total, eight international clubs have defeated NBA teams: Unicaja, Alba Berlin, Fenerbahçe, Barcelona, CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid, Adelaide 36ers and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Several prominent EuroLeague shareholders reportedly want to maintain communication with the NBA despite widespread dissatisfaction with its initial cooperation proposal. Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, Panathinaikos, ASVEL and Bayern Munich are among the clubs interested in keeping negotiations open. These organizations represent markets that have been publicly identified as potential destinations for NBA Europe franchises.
Some EuroLeague clubs from cities that have been publicly named as NBA Europe targets want to keep a line of communication with the NBA. Those clubs are Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul, Panathinaikos Athens, ASVEL Lyon, and Bayern Munich. Barcelona and Olimpia Milan, which are also clubs from target cities, were much more reserved, like the rest of the shareholders, and in some cases totally negative. “We have to show the NBA respect”, was said during the conversation, only for the reply to be, “What kind of respect is the NBA showing us with such an offer?”
While the volume includes archival photos and stories from across the franchise’s past, the Slovenian superstar’s contribution quickly went viral online after excerpts were shared in an Instagram post by jdeez. Luka Doncic offers a candid look into his mindset since joining the Lakers in February 2025 following an unexpected blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks. In the text, he admits that wearing purple and gold still feels surreal. However, he sets a clear standard for his time in Los Angeles, writing that he simply won’t rest until securing more banners. “I’m not sure that I ever could have imagined being here,” he wrote. “It’s a wonderful surprise and it feels amazing and now I desperately want what all Lakers want: To win it all.” Tracing his path from Slovenia and Real Madrid to the NBA, he also remembered when Lakers governor Jeanie Buss invited him into her office and made it clear that he has the opportunity to build a unique legacy. The interaction reinforced his belief that his move to Los Angeles is more than just a change of teams. “This is a city that is used to winning and winning big. I am so honored and grateful that I get the chance now to write my own championship chapters,” added the 27-year-old playmaker.
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Before becoming an NBA superstar, Luka Doncic spent three full seasons experiencing the intensity of EuroLeague basketball with Real Madrid. Trips to Belgrade, Athens and Barcelona provided some of the loudest and most hostile environments of his career in Europe. Crvena Zvezda immediately came to mind when he was asked by SLAM to identify the most intimidating crowd he had faced, although his lifelong affection for the Serbian club made his visits there feel different. “I would probably say Red Star, but not for me. They liked me there, so not for me,” Doncic said.
Smith is expected to handle lead-guard responsibilities for Real Madrid, giving him an opportunity to play a much larger role for the EuroLeague club where Luka Doncic developed before entering the NBA. Smith celebrated the signing by posting a photo in his new uniform on Instagram, prompting several Lakers players to respond. Bronny James was among the first to congratulate him. “Damn thats fire bro be great!!!” James commented on Smith’s post. Adou Thiero offered his support as well, writing, “Get to it brudda,” while Jake LaRavia added, “Yea nick.”
Michael Scotto: Free agent guard Nick Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with Real Madrid, agents Lucas Newton and Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports told @hoopshype . He averaged 7.6 points in 17.5 minutes during three NBA seasons with the Hornets and Lakers. He’ll be Real Madrid’s lead guard.
Chema de Lucas: ÚLTIMA HORA: Nick Smith Jr. (1.88 m.; 22 a.), a punto de fichar por el Real Madrid. Número 27 del Draft de 2023, ha pasado por Hornets y Lakers. BREAKING: Nick Smith Jr. (1.88 m.; 22 y.o.) is close to a deal with Real Madrid.