By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dennis Smith Jr. arrived in Madrid on Wednesday morning.
The 27-year-old point guard will undergo necessary medical tests to complete a midseason move to Real Madrid.
Barring a setback, he will sign a contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season and will then be officially welcomed by Los Blancos.
Following Round 21 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and a winning effort in a high-scoring affair opposite Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Movistar Arena, head coach Chus Mateo all but confirmed the addition of the former NBA player to his squad.
Madrid was scanning the market for an additional backcourt player before circling the former North Carolina State standout as the most suitable option. The veteran of 326 NBA games between the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks, a free agent from the top of the 2024-25 season, is set to expand his career overseas looking to help Mateo’s side improve fortunes in Europe’s premier club continental competition.
The storied club located in the capital of Spain went up to 12-9 in the EuroLeague’s Regular Season, a few hours before the arrival of Smith. With 13 fixtures remaining on the 34-game double-legged round-robin schedule, the W-L tally is half a game outside a direct ticket to the Playoffs and 1.5 games safe in the Play-In Showdown zone. A 12-4 record in the Liga Endesa Regular Season ranks third, besides securing a spot in the midseason Copa del Rey.