Juan Núñez is finally in the NBA sphere. The Madrid native was chosen in the second round of the 2024 Draft, where he was present – permission from the Federation to be absent from the National Team’s training camp for the Pre-Olympic Games – in the studios of ESPN in which the new format of the event was launched. His position was 36th. Leaving aside the anecdotal circumstance that the number 1, Zaccharie Risacher, was born in Malaga but represents France, Núñez was the only Spaniard in this edition.
It so happened that the Spanish international was chosen for the NBA by the Pacers, who made a last-minute change with the Spurs for the position immediately below. Therefore for Indiana it was really number 35, with the Australian Johnny Furphy as chosen, and for San Antonio that number 36 is headed with Juan Núñez. In fact in ESPN They asked him how he fit in with those from Carlisle, simply because this exchange of pieces was not official, the parties knowing that the destination will be the Texas franchise.
More information
-
Risacher, number one. French double with Sarr, who was number two. Sheppard completed the podium.
The groundbreaking point guard, who came through the youth ranks of Real Madrid until he left two years ago to improve his game, has spent the last two years at German side Ulm. With them he won the Bundesliga in 2023. Talents such as Yago dos Santos, in the Euroleague environment, or Pacome Dadiet, who was chosen hours earlier by the Knicks, have recently emerged from that club.
How is Juan Núñez’s situation after being elected?
Having fallen out with Spurs could make Juan Núñez and his entourage think about the direction to go in this summer. The player was taking steps to return to the Endesa League, for which he was included in the Right of First Refusal section that speaks of players who want to return and serves as a warning to the previous team that maintains the preference. In Juan’s case, the warning is for Madrid and the final destination was Barça. The agreement between the two parties was complete, pending to see if in the first half of July his previous club passes up its first option and lets him sign for the eternal rival; the same thing that happened with Willy Hernangómez last summer. The bet of Popovich, Buford and the Spurs is what can blow up that idea that was counted on, what is known as draft & stash (choosing a player knowing that he will continue training in another team outside the NBA). Having a manager like Núñez, whose aspect of the game is what makes him most special, to feed Victor Wembanyama’s needs is sweet enough to value him immediately.
·
Follow the Diario AS channel on WhatsApp, where you will find all the sport in one place: the latest news of the day, the agenda with the latest news on the most important sporting events, the most outstanding images, the opinion of the best AS writers, reports, videos, and some humour from time to time.
