By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Things are moving within Barcelona after being swept by the eternal rivals of Real Madrid in the ACB Semi-Finals, ending the season earlier than expected.
After Juan Carlos Navarro’s statements and Ricky Rubio being still unclear about his future, two reports are helping frame the picture clearer.
According to Jose Ignacio Huguet from Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan side has found an agreement with 20-year-old playmaker Juan Nunez, who should leave ratiopharm Ulm one year before his contract expires.
A product of Real Madrid‘s youth system, he debuted in the EuroLeague with the Blancos at 17 years of age before moving to Germany, playing the last two seasons in the EuroCup with ratiopharm Ulm. In the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup, he put up 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
According to Mundo Deportivo’s report, Real Madrid isn’t expected to match Barcelona’s offer despite having the right to because Juan Nunez last played in the ACB with Chus Mateo’s team, which can have “tanteo” rights.
On top of that, according to the same news outlet, another player from UIm, big man Trevion Williams may join Nunez to Barcelona.
Pascual is the favorite to replace Roger Grimau
Huguet has also reported about Barcelona’s plans regarding the head coaching position, as Roger Grimau is expected to get fired. The favorite to take over the Catalan side is Xavi Pascual, who already won a EuroLeague in 2010 there, alongside several other domestic titles.
The other two candidates at the moment appear to be Gran Canaria’s Jaka Lazovic, coached by Xavi Pascual in Barcelona, and Sergio Scariolo, who recently extended his contract with the Spanish national team until 2028. The Italian head coach would find a lot of familiar faces, including Juan Nunez.
Three other names have been moving around when talking about a potential substitute for Roger Grimau to lead Barcelona from the sideline: Alex Mumbru and Joan Penarroya, respectively fired by Valencia and Baskonia midway through the season, alongside Dimitris Itoudis who is also a free agent.
PHOTO CREDIT: BKT EuroCup